Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: over 200 works bringing Mount Fuji to Rome

Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: a major exhibition in Rome

Starting 27 March 2026, Palazzo Bonaparte presents an extensive retrospective dedicated to Katsushika Hokusai, a central figure in Japanese art. The show gathers more than 200 works on loan from the National Museum in Krakow, offering a broad overview of the artist's output.

The exhibition combines iconic woodblock prints — including an early impression of the Great Wave off Kanagawa and the celebrated views of Mount Fuji — with less familiar series, textiles, kimonos, bronze statuettes and enameled vessels. Rare books and everyday objects complement the prints, reconstructing the cultural and material landscape of 19th-century Japan.

Highlights

• The 36 views of Mount Fuji and works that explore the link between landscape and daily life;
• An early print of the Great Wave on display;
• Water-focused cycles, such as the series on waterfalls, where movement and details are rendered with striking precision;
• Hokusai Manga and portraits revealing the artist's intimate and humorous side;
• Over 180 items including rare books, armor, musical instruments and traditional clothing in dialogue with the prints;
• Period photographs by Felice Beato providing a contemporary view of Japan after its opening to the West.

Why visit

The exhibition emphasizes not only the grandeur of nature but also human presence within landscapes: huts, animals and rooftops become interpretive elements that reveal Hokusai's relationship between people and their environment. The selection allows visitors to trace the artist's technical and stylistic development across prints, drawings and engravings.

Practical information

• Venue: Palazzo Bonaparte, Rome;
• Opening date: 27 March 2026;
• Works on display: more than 200 items from the National Museum in Krakow;
• Visitor tips: advance booking recommended, allow 60–90 minutes for the visit, audio guides and educational materials may be available (check current on-site offerings);
• Recommended for: fans of Japanese art, art history students and anyone seeking an introduction to the world of Ukiyo-e.

The exhibition pairs renowned masterpieces with historical objects to provide a rich, accessible portrait of Hokusai and the cultural context of 19th-century Japan.