Chimera c. 1790

Katsushika Hokusai's woodblock print, Chimera, presents a dynamic scene, composed of clashing figures rendered with bold lines and flat planes of color. The print’s materiality—the texture of the paper and the crispness of the linework—enhances the dramatic tension of the subject. The composition is structured around a central struggle, with two samurai warriors locked in combat above a vanquished foe. Hokusai employs a sophisticated use of perspective to compress the space, heightening the sense of immediacy. This flattening challenges traditional notions of depth, drawing attention to the surface and the materiality of the print itself. The limited palette of reds, grays, and blacks further emphasizes the formal structure. Hokusai destabilizes established categories of representation by blending figuration with abstraction. The print functions not merely as a depiction but as a complex interplay of form and content, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns about representation and perception. The dynamic tension between form and narrative invites ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.