Visiting the British Museum is always a delight. Its stunning architecture alone makes it one of the most Instagrammable spots in London.

I hadn’t been there in a long time, and I truly appreciated my visit last week, marveling at The Great Court and thoroughly enjoying the Hokusai exhibition. “The Great Picture Book of Everything” is definitely worth seeing, especially if you’re a fan of Hokusai, Japanese art, illustrations, or history.

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to explore a remarkable collection of rare drawings by Katsushika Hokusai at the British Museum, a treat for art lovers and curious minds alike!

The British Museum

I shared my first visit to the British Museum on this blog, where I highlighted the amazing collections on display. Today, I’d like to give you a closer look at The Great Court and introduce its remarkable architecture.

Originally, the courtyard at the center of the museum was intended to be a garden, with the Reading Room at its heart.

But fortunately, in 1997, the library department was relocated to the British Library, and a competition was launched to reimagine and redesign the courtyard space.

Architect Norman Foster won the competition and redesigned the courtyard as the largest covered public square in Europe, with a renowned steel-and-glass roof.

The Great Court opened in December 2000, “increasing the museum’s public space by 40%, and allowing free circulation around the main floor for the first time in 150 years”!

It’s truly impressive to wander through such bold architecture! I couldn’t stop admiring the interplay of lines, shapes, and the striking contrast between ancient and modern styles that define The Great Hall.

Hokusai “the great picture book of everything”

As many of us know, Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) is one of Japan’s most beloved and innovative artists.

His painting “Under the Waves off Kanagawa”, also known as “The Great Wave”, is his most famous work. But more importantly, Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e art form, shifting it from portraits of courtesans and actors to a broader style that celebrated landscapes, plants, and animals.

Hokusai was celebrated for being “innovative in his compositions and exceptional in his drawing technique,” qualities that firmly establish him as one of the greatest masters in the history of art.

This exhibition, “The great picture book of everything”, showcases “103 recently acquired drawings by Hokusai, produced in the 1820s–1840s for an illustrated encyclopedia called The Great Picture Book of Everything”.

Fortunately for us, this book was never published at the time, which means that all the drawings and illustrations were preserved. Otherwise, they “would have been destroyed as part of the woodblock printing process.”

The exhibition is extremely detailed, showcasing a wealth of drawings and illustrations along with their insightful interpretations. Truly a must-see for anyone fascinated by Hokusai, Japanese art, or the incredible art of storytelling through images!

I love that behind each drawing lies a story, a myth, or a legend waiting to be discovered.

Walking between the artworks, I noticed visitors laughing, staring, and clearly mesmerised. It’s truly wonderful to see how Hokusai still sparks curiosity across generations (perhaps the recent popularity of Japanese manga has only deepened the fascination with his illustrations!).

The exhibition also showcases several artifacts, including Hokusai’s sketchbooks. Truly extraordinary when you consider they date back to the early 19th century!

I really enjoyed the explanation of the woodblock printing process, which offered fascinating insight into Hokusai’s working methods. It’s here that you truly appreciate how Hokusai and the publisher had to collaborate closely to ensure the quality and fidelity of each print matched the original drawing.

Of course, The Great Wave is featured in the exhibition, including its different versions by Hokusai. The exhibit also highlights the work of specialists at the British Museum, showing how they analyze and interpret the subtle differences between the prints.

I highly recommend this exhibition, whether you’re a devoted fan or simply curious.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore a magnificent museum with stunning architecture while enjoying a comprehensive and captivating showcase of one of history’s most fascinating artists.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to visit The British Museum soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

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To go further:

“The Great Picture Book of Everything” until 30 January 2022
Adults from £9, Members and under 16s free
Daily: 10.00–17.00 (Fridays 20.30)
The British Museum: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Website

You can check out my other Exhibitions recommendations right here!

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