Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: Italy’s Largest Retrospective

Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: the largest Hokusai exhibition in Italy

When: March 27 – June 29, 2026. Where: Palazzo Bonaparte, Rome.

Palazzo Bonaparte stages a major exhibition dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), a leading figure of Edo-period Japanese art and the Ukiyo-e tradition. The exhibition traces Hokusai's artistic trajectory through his famous woodblock prints, drawing albums and period objects that illuminate his technique and vision.

Highlights

The show brings together more than 200 works from the National Museum in Kraków, on loan to Italy for the first time. Key highlights include:

• Iconic prints from the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" and the famed "Great Wave off Kanagawa";
• Thematic series such as the "Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō" and waterfall studies;
• Manga drawing albums demonstrating Hokusai's range and inventiveness;
• More than 180 rare books and objects (lacquerware, cloisonné, costumes, armor and musical instruments) that provide cultural context.

Why visit

Beyond the artistic masterpieces, the exhibition emphasizes Hokusai's attention to human presence and the natural world: everyday details and the study of water as a source of movement and rhythm. The display includes multimedia elements and period photography to convey the atmosphere of 19th-century Japan.

Educational path and practical info

A dedicated educational route and audiovisual materials support visitors in understanding printmaking techniques and Hokusai's influence on later Western art. For visiting hours and ticketing, check the museum's official channels or the Palazzo Bonaparte ticket office. The exhibition is promoted with institutional support and organized in cooperation with the National Museum in Kraków.