Who painted South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji?

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji was painted by Katsushika Hokusai in 1834.

Where can I see South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji?

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji?

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji

Katsushika Hokusai , 1834

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is a print by the Romanticist artist Katsushika Hokusai. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The red tint comes from morning light in early autumn—something travelers at the time would recognize from guidebooks.

You see Mount Fuji rising alone, its slopes glowing red under a pale blue sky. Thin clouds streak the top like brushstrokes.

This print is part of a series showing the mountain from different angles and seasons. The red tint comes from morning light in early autumn—something travelers at the time would recognize from guidebooks.

To see how other artists painted Japan’s landscapes, look up the subject *japan, edo period (1615–1868)*.

Overview

South Wind, Clear Sky, from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, is a woodblock print by Hokusai, created between 1829 and 1833. It depicts Mount Fuji in a distinctive reddish hue, set against a pale blue sky with streaked clouds.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures Mount Fuji during the transitional season between late summer and early autumn, when the mountain naturally takes on a reddish cast due to the morning light of the season, a phenomenon familiar to travelers through contemporary guidebooks.

Technique & Style

Characterized by Hokusai's distinctive woodblock print technique, the piece features bold, simplified forms and a limited color palette, emphasizing the contrast between the reddish mountain slopes and the serene blue sky with expressive, brushstroke-like cloud streaks.

History & Provenance

Part of Hokusai's seminal Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series, this print was designed to appeal to the growing interest in Japan's iconic landscapes among both domestic travelers and the broader population, reflecting the cultural significance of Mt. Fuji.

Context

Created during the Edo period (1615–1868), the print reflects the era's fascination with Mt. Fuji, often depicted in travel literature and maps. It aligns with the period's ukiyo-e woodblock print tradition, which frequently captured landscapes and everyday life.

Legacy

This print, also known as 'Red Fuji,' contributes to Hokusai's influence on Western artists, particularly in the development of Impressionism and beyond, while remaining an iconic representation of Japanese cultural heritage.