“Old Fisherman Smoking his Pipe,” an artwork by Katsushika Hokusai, crafted around the year 1835, is a woodcut belonging to the Ukiyo-e art movement. This genre painting, currently housed within the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, UK, measures 18.4 by 21.5 centimeters, encapsulating the serene moment of an elderly fisherman enjoying his pipe.
The artwork captures a vivid illustration of an elderly fisherman, characterized by his balding head and the deeply contemplative expression on his face as he sits by the seashore. He is dressed in traditional attire with a blue upper garment and a straw skirt, his relaxed posture indicative of his peaceful demeanor. The fisherman holds a fishing rod, yet his attention is notably diverted to smoking his pipe, portraying a moment of tranquility. The background is infused with the rhythmic movement of sea waves, rendered in fluid, delicate lines, interspersed with rocks and small floral details, emphasizing the harmony between man and nature. The calligraphy in the upper portion adds an element of poetic grace, blending seamlessly with the overall composition.
