Japonisme

Japonisme

In the 1850s and 1860s the ‘Japonisme’ emerges in the western parts, especially in France. In the 1853, the Japanese started to trade with the west and a lot of the foreign imports flooded the European shores especially the woodblock prints by the masters of the Ukiyo-e school (means the floating world) that transformed impressionist and post-impressionist art.  In 1872 French art critic gave the name ‘Japonisme’ to this fascination with Japanese style. The Parisians came into contact with Japanese arts and crafts with Japan at the world’s fair in 1867.  But ships were already importing the oriental brick-a-brack, which includes fans, kimonos, lacquers (it is a natural plastic from a tree sap), bronzes and silks. Christopher Dresser travelled to Japan and bought goods to resale in ‘Liberty’ in London which opened in 1875.  

There were many artists that were influenced by Japanese prints such as Vincent Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas and among others.  

The Great Wave

      Hokusai

                                                                           

                                                                      Carp Vase   
                                                                     Appert Freres  

                                                                                                                                                                        

 References:      

Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2013. Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/hd_jpon.htm. [Accessed 03 April 2013].