The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Katsushika Hokusai1831Woodblock print
Perhaps the most iconic image in Japanese art, Hokusai's Great Wave uses a restrained three-color palette to create a scene of overwhelming power and delicate beauty. The Prussian blue was a newly imported pigment at the time.
Color Mood
Restrained and powerful. Three dominant tones create maximum drama. The near-monochromatic palette feels both ancient and strikingly modern.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Primary Colors
The dominant colors that define the overall mood and atmosphere of the work.
Secondary Colors
Supporting colors that add depth, contrast, and visual interest.
Tertiary Colors
Accent and detail colors that complete the composition.
japaneseblueminimaloceanwoodblock