Lecture Notes: The Great Wave

Introduction

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• Iconic Image: Often referred to as "The Great Wave," it features in various cultural products and even as an emoji.

The Image and Its Real Title

• Actual Title: Not "The Great Wave," but "Under the Wave off Kanagawa."
• Series: Part of "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" by Katsushika Hokusai (1830-1831).
• Subject: Mount Fuji, considered sacred, shown from different perspectives.
• Context: Depicts fishermen rowing against a wave, with Mount Fuji in the background.

Hokusai and Ukiyo-e Art

• Artist Background: Born in 1760 near modern-day Tokyo.
• Art Style: Ukiyo-e - woodblock prints known for line, color, and city life depictions.
• Cultural Context: "Floating World" refers to transient pleasures and trends.

Artistic Influences and Techniques

• Water Motif: Hokusai was fascinated by water movements.
• Isolationism: Japan was isolated during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
• Western Influence: Linear perspective, low horizon, Prussian blue pigment.

International Impact

• Exposure: Shown at the 1867 International Exposition in Paris, influencing European artists.
• Influenced Artists: Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt were inspired by it.

Cultural Significance and Interpretations

• Tsunami Misinterpretation: Often associated with tsunamis, but not depicted as such.
• Scientific Analysis: Identified as a 32-39 foot rogue wave.
• Symbolism: Nature's power vs. human vulnerability; becomes relevant with climate change.

Legacy and Continuing Relevance

• Debussy's Inspiration: Used in the cover for "La Mer" score.
• Modern Symbolism: Post-WWII, linked to grief and resilience.
• Global Warming Context: Heightens image's relevance due to increasing natural disasters.

Artistic and Commercial Adaptation

• Reproduction: Widely reproduced and adapted; not confined to museums.
• Cultural Endurance: Continues to symbolize power imbalances and natural forces.

Conclusion

• Nostalgia and Symbolism: Evokes a sense of timelessness and human struggle against nature.
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