The Impact of Japanese Art

The Influence of Japanese Art on the West “In a way all my work is founded on Japanese art….” - Vincent Van Gogh

Reasons for the Japanese Influence

1. The Industrial Revolution

2. The Confines of Tradition

3. The Opening Trade w/Japan 1854

4. Paris Universal Expositions

Paris Universal Expositions, con’t

Japonaise A rage for all things Japanese A rage for all things Japanese An interest in Japanese culture because it was exotic & fashionable An interest in Japanese culture because it was exotic & fashionable Use of Japanese names Use of Japanese names Settings Settings Items Items

Le Port Chinoise (An Import Shop in Paris, France) Opened near the Louvre Museum in 1862 Opened near the Louvre Museum in 1862 After 1 st Paris Exposition & before the 2 nd Expo After 1 st Paris Exposition & before the 2 nd Expo Sold: Sold: fans, fans, hanging scrolls, hanging scrolls, ceramics, ceramics, bronze statuary & bronze statuary & other items the Impressionists used as props in their paintings other items the Impressionists used as props in their paintings

Claude Monet’s Wife in Kimono Photo of Toulouse Lautrec Dressed as a Japanese Woman Examples of Japonaise

Toilette Japonaise, Firmin Girard 1873

Japonaise Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado, Three Little Maids

Japonaise Maria Callas in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

Manet Note Painting in Background

What do you notice in Van Gogh’s Portrait? In addition to the painting, what else shows a Japonaise influence? His coat & headgear/fur cap

In addition to her dress, what else do you see that is Japonaise? Folding Screen, Folding Chair, Travel Posters, Rug, Lacquered Box, Blue Vase, Seated on Floor Cushion

Japonisme The integration of the principles of Japanese design into Western art The integration of the principles of Japanese design into Western art Impressionists admired Japanese wood- block prints & applied that art form’s flat, decorative shapes, bright colors, & asymmetrical compositions to their own work. Impressionists admired Japanese wood- block prints & applied that art form’s flat, decorative shapes, bright colors, & asymmetrical compositions to their own work. Japanese artifacts found an eager market in the growing middle class in Paris Japanese artifacts found an eager market in the growing middle class in Paris

Ukiyo-e “Images of the Floating World” Inspired a new interest in printmaking Inspired a new interest in printmaking Impressionists created lithographs (prints made from oil-based ink designs on wet stone) & etchings (printed from designs etched into metal plates with acid) Impressionists created lithographs (prints made from oil-based ink designs on wet stone) & etchings (printed from designs etched into metal plates with acid) Allowed Monet & other artists to make multiple copies of their work & reach a larger audience. Allowed Monet & other artists to make multiple copies of their work & reach a larger audience.

Popularity Broadly appealing color, spontaneity, & freshness Broadly appealing color, spontaneity, & freshness “A blond light pervades them, & everything is gaiety, clarity, spring festivals, golden evenings or apple trees in blossom”. “A blond light pervades them, & everything is gaiety, clarity, spring festivals, golden evenings or apple trees in blossom”. “They are windows opening on the joyous countryside, on rivers full of pleasure boats stretching into the distance, on a sky which shines with light mists, on the outdoor life, panoramic & charming." “They are windows opening on the joyous countryside, on rivers full of pleasure boats stretching into the distance, on a sky which shines with light mists, on the outdoor life, panoramic & charming."

Approach to Venice, William Turner, 1844

Japanese Traits (Aesthetic Techniques) in Western Art

1. The Importance of the Ordinary

2. “Random” Cropping of Images

3. Flattening of Depth

4. Use of Pattern

5. Empty Space and Asymmetry

6. Simplicity

7. Broad Areas of Flat Color