Hokusai in Rome: the major exhibition at Palazzo Bonaparte

Hokusai at Palazzo Bonaparte: overview

From 27 March Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome hosts the most extensive exhibition ever held in Italy on Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849). The show brings together more than 200 works from the National Museum in Kraków, including Ukiyo-e prints, illustrated albums and decorative objects that map the output of one of Japan’s most influential artists.

Highlights

• Iconic prints: the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji and The Great Wave off Kanagawa, hallmark works of Ukiyo-e.
• Manga and illustrated albums: graphic sheets and collections that reveal Hokusai’s decorative imagination.
• Applied arts and objects: lacquerware, cloisonné enamel, traditional garments (kimono, haori, obi), armor and blades, plus examples of classical musical instruments.

Why visit

The exhibition traces Hokusai’s creative journey from traditional formats to his most innovative solutions, highlighting his role as a cultural bridge between East and West and his influence on European artists and musicians. The displays create a continuous dialogue between art, everyday life and Japanese spirituality.

Organization and patronage

• Curated by Beata Romanowicz.
• Loan and collaboration: National Museum in Kraków.
• Produced and organized by Arthemisia.
• Institutional patrons and partners: Ministry of Culture, Embassy of Japan in Italy, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Rome, Lazio Region, City of Rome.
• Main partner: Fondazione Terzo Pilastro – Internazionale; various sponsors and partners support the exhibition.

Practical information

• Opening date: 27 March 2026.
• Venue: Palazzo Bonaparte, historic centre of Rome.
• Tips: check official opening hours and booking procedures on the event’s channels and consider advance reservation to avoid queues.

This exhibition offers a rare opportunity to explore Hokusai’s work and the richness of Japanese visual culture through masterpieces, rare books and everyday objects that illuminate a lasting artistic legacy.