Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: major exhibition in Rome (27 Mar – 29 Jun

Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: a major exhibition in Rome

From 27 March to 29 June 2026, Palazzo Bonaparte presents the largest Hokusai exhibition ever held in Italy, featuring over 200 works from the National Museum in Krakow. The display is organized around two main threads: the external journey — landscapes, travel and daily life — and the inner journey — drawing, literature and symbolic dimensions of his practice.

What to see

The show spans iconic prints such as The Great Wave and the series on Mount Fuji, alongside works focused on waterfalls, travel scenes and everyday subjects. More than 180 period objects — rare books, armor, kimono, travel accessories — and 19th-century photographs complement the prints, creating a rich portrait of Japan in that era.

Exhibition highlights

• Two thematic routes: external landscapes and internal, symbolic explorations.
• Water as motif: waves, cascades and whirlpools are central to Hokusai’s visual language.
• Human presence: fishermen, travelers and workers that animate the landscapes.
• Historical objects: over 180 items including kimono, weapons and photographs by Felice Beato.
• Cultural diplomacy: the exhibition coincides with the 160th anniversary of Italy–Japan diplomatic relations.

Why visit

The exhibition goes beyond a selection of masterpieces by reconstructing the cultural and historical context that shaped Hokusai’s work and showing his lasting influence beyond Japan. The layout is designed to engage both younger visitors and specialists, offering clear readings of formal and symbolic themes in the prints.

Practical visitor information

• Dates: 27 March – 29 June 2026
• Venue: Palazzo Bonaparte, Rome
• Suggested visit length: 60–90 minutes for a full tour; allow extra time to explore objects and photographic displays.
• Accessibility and tickets: check the official exhibition website for opening hours, ticketing, guided tours and audio guide options.

This exhibition is a rare chance to experience the range and modernity of 19th-century Japanese printmaking in person, and to appreciate Hokusai’s ways of turning landscape and daily life into enduring visual forms.