Katsuchika Hokusai (1760-1849) [Attributed to], painting on - Lot 156

Katsuchika Hokusai (1760-1849) [Attributed to], painting on paper, Japan, early 19th century India ink and pigments on paper. This painting, probably produced between 1800 and 1806, depicts a young woman swept away by a powerful wind as she turns her parasol upside down. The scene illustrates the artist's characteristic mastery of movement and natural elements. The young woman's kimono, caught in the whirlwind, seems to dance in the air, while the dynamic curves and asymmetry of the composition reinforce the realism and energy of the subject. The work is signed lower left Gakyōjin Hokusai ga - 画狂人北斎画, meaning "Hokusai, the drawing madman", an emblematic phrase used by the artist. The signature is accompanied by a rare seal, bearing the characters Hokuto isseikō - 北斗一星高 (which could be translated as "a high star in the Big Dipper"), whose limited use has sparked debate among Japanese experts, with some questioning its authenticity. A painting depicting Katō Kiyomasa and bearing the same seal is preserved in a museum in Nagoya. Another, depicting Jurō Jin, is in the Hokusaï kan museum in Obuse, Nagano prefecture, adding to the interest and singularity of this work. 54.5 x 26 cm Framed under glass, matted with kraft paper. Wormholes repaired, doubled, small tear due to wormholes. Provenance: Former Nourhan Manoukian collection (1906-1993). By descent. This piece, part of Hokusai's mature artistic period, bears witness to the elegance and refinement of the ukiyo-e movement, with its subtle use of ink and pigments on paper. It is of particular interest to collectors because of its dynamic composition and the rarity of the seal. Its attribution, though consistent with Hokusai's style and period, nevertheless requires in-depth expertise to confirm its authenticity, which can only be achieved with the endorsement of the various specialists remaining in Japan.