Katsushika Hokusai, Old Fisherman Smoking his Pipe

Katsushika Hokusai, Old Fisherman Smoking his Pipe, c. 1835, woodcut, 18.4 cm x 21.5 cm, Burrell Collection, Glasgow, UK

A humble and reflective self-portrait; painting himself as a fisherman, towards the end of his life, Hokusai wrote: "If only Heaven will give me another 10 years... Just another five more years, then I could become a real painter."

Even in this relaxed pose, extraordinary effort is visible in every dot and line; the feet curled in tension; the muscles of the body taut for balance.