Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) (Attributed to)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) (Attributed to) important painting on Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) softwood panel depicting the famous warrior Prince Minamoto Yoshitsune, hunting the white snake.

former property of the Royal Academy ‘John Maccallan Swan’.

Painted on eight fine cypress panels, this work is carried out on sanded raw panels, using a variety of mineral pigments: red, blue, white, dark green, brown and black.

Signature in black lacquer: HOKUSAI MANJI II HITSU or retranscribed in Japanese:（北斎卍云い筆）

Height: 39 cm
Width: 54 cm

Source :

– John Maccallan SWAN (1847-1910)
Studied at the Beaux Arts in Paris with, among others, J-L Gerome and E.Fremiet. He was awarded the Médaille d’or de 1ere Classe for his painting and sculpture at the Exposition Internationale de Paris in 1900.
An undisputed specialist in feline representations, he titled this painting from his personal collection: “by Hokusai, Japanese Warrior Prince fighting dragon-(legend) Sign. John Mac. Swan” (see label on back).

– Collection of Mr. B. A specialist and enthusiast of Nipponese art who lived there between 1980 and 2000.