Hokusai: Prints and Drawings (Asian Art) [Hardcover]

Matthi Forrer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1991 | Series: Asian Art

Hokusai was one of the great masters of the Japanese woodblock print. His exquisite compositions and dynamic use of colour set him apart from other printmakers, and his unequalled genius influenced both Japanese and a whole generation of Western artists. This book reproduces the artist's finest works in plates that convey the full variety of his invention, each of which is provided with an informative commentary. In his introduction, Hokusai expert Matthi Forrer traces the artist's career and defines his place in relation to his contemporaries and to the history of Japanese art. Examining all genres of the artist's prolific output - including images of city life, maritime scenes, landscapes, views of Mount Fuji, bird and flower illustrations, literary scenes, waterfalls and bridges - "Hokusai: Prints and Drawings" provides a detailed account of the artist's genius.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Supremely prolific and marvelously inventive, Hokusai, one of Japan's most famous artists, has left a body of work comprising almost 30,000 items. This volume, designed as a catalog to accompany an exhibition in London, gives us an overview of 13 drawings and 151 woodblock prints representing landscapes, amorous couplings, kabuki actors, and scenes of daily life in 18th-century Japan. Although the biographical introduction is short, each artwork has an ample explication to place it in the context of Japanese society and Hokusai's oeuvre. The superb quality of the color reproduction on acid-free paper makes this an excellent complement to Richard Lane's more comprehensive Hokusai: Life and Works (Dutton, 1989). Recommended for all libraries.
- David McClelland, Temple Univ. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Hokusai devotees will be pleased with the high quality of color reproductions in this volume" -- Print Collector's Newsletter

"Hokusai devotees... will be pleased with the high quality of color reproductions in this volume." -- Print Collector's Newsletter

"Mr. Forrer Proves himself a sure guide." -- J. Russell, New York Times

"Mr. Forrer proves himself a sure guide." -- New York Times, J. Russel --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Pub; illustrated edition edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 379131131X
• ISBN-13: 978-3791311319
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 10.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,409,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing, September 3, 2001

By 

catfish "ictalurus_punctatus" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hokusai (Paperback)

Unlike Matthi Forrer's previous effort, entitled "Hokusai" (now sadly out of print), and which by far exceeded the current volume both in size (litterally, having been close to A3 format) as well as depth and scope, this issue is hampered by a diminished quality of graphical reproduction (small-sized images, mostly black & white), as well as an almost complete omission of Hokusai's accomplished late works - which are mostly colour paintings on silk (kakemono), rather than the more familiar ukyo-e prints.
Overall a regrettable step back.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Art But Poor Writing, February 19, 2000

By 

Bruce Loveitt (Ogdensburg, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hokusai: Prints and Drawings (Asian Art) (Hardcover)

This book gets 3 stars for the beautiful reproductions of Hokusai's work. There are approximately 130 plates, most of them in gorgeous color. But I found the text by Mr. Forrer to be very disappointing. There is an opening chapter of around 30 pages which is meant to give you some information about Hokusai and Japanese art in general. It is very straighforward and written in a dry manner. I was hoping for more of a biographical sketch of Hokusai but did not get it. Mr. Forrer writes that "apparently Hokusai lived for his art". Is that supposed to mean that he didn't have a life? I doubt that is the case but unfortunately it is how Mr. Forrer excuses the fact that he doesn't really tell us anything about the man who is generally thought to be the greatest artist Japan has ever produced. The descriptions that accompany the plates are equally disappointing. Hokusai worked mainly in woodblocks and Mr. Forrer spends a lot of time telling us about what variations (reproductions of which are not included) of these woodblocks looked like. He does this on page after page and I found it annoying. Mr. Forrer hammers home the same points on page after page rather than trying to make each plate interesting and distinctive. He keeps pointing out Hokusai's use of linear perspective and of his western style of painting skies (showing individual clouds rather than the traditional Japanese method of just painting a flat wash with some haze for the entire sky). This is interesting the first couple of times you read it but gets tedious after awhile. There is much more that could have been said about these works.If you just want to look at some pretty pictures you will enjoy this book. If you want a more complete picture you will need to look elsewhere.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just an art book. A cultural experience., June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hokusai: Prints and Drawings (Asian Art) (Hardcover)

Over 120 block prints are reproduced. Each is accompanied by text describing the artist's motivation. It may be historical, or a poem, or a peculiarly Japanese emotion. The text is very well done, immersing the reader in Japanese culture. The art works are exquisite. The colors are vibrant, with some exceptions where they have faded over time. Overall, it is a work you will be proud to own.