Hokusai’s ‘Great Wave’ Prints to Headline Bonhams and Christie’s Auction This Fall

As a seasoned gamer with a keen eye for art and a passion for history, I must say that the upcoming auctions of Katsushika Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave’ prints are an exhilarating event in the world of art. Having traversed countless virtual landscapes, the sheer power and grandeur depicted in this woodblock print resonates with me in a way few other pieces can.

Approximately 200 years old, Katsushika Hokusai’s “Under the Wave off Kanagawa” or commonly known as “The Great Wave”, is arguably the most well-known Japanese artwork in the nation’s history. This woodblock print showcases the immense power of the sea with Mount Fuji appearing as a minuscule silhouette in the distance.

Approximately 5,000 to 8,000 surviving original woodblock prints of a particular series are known today, but only a limited number of these are in near-perfect condition. Coming up in the fall, Bonhams and Christie’s will auction two rare, pristine prints from this exclusive group of ‘Great Wave’ prints. Jeff Olson, Bonhams’ director of Japanese Art, mentioned in an interview with ARTnews that a well-preserved print without any retouching, with a pleasing appearance, and fresh to the market can usually fetch between $500,000 and $1.5 million USD. According to Olson, this upcoming auction piece is not only from a later edition but also carries an earlier and more innocent charm compared to the last one.

At present, the enthusiasm for The Great Wave works has never been greater, as evidenced by a woodblock print that fetched an astonishing $2.8 million USD in March, surpassing its predicted price range of $500,000 to $700,000 USD. A collection of Japanese prints and watercolors titled “A Private Collection” will go on sale at Bonhams New York on September 14, 2024, coinciding with the Asian Art Week, which starts at Christie’s New York from September 11 to 17, 2024.

2024-08-29 01:55

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