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Japonisme

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Summary

Japonisme is a term coined by Philippe Burty in 1872 to refer to the fashion for Japanese art in the West following the opening of formerly isolated Japan to world trade in 1853. Its effects were seen in decorative art fashion as well as in modern art, with many late-19th century modern artists admiring and collecting Japanese prints and deriving and adopting both compositional and stylistic approaches from them. Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and the Nabis were strongly influenced by Japanese art, with subjects, colors, designs, patterns, and compositions all being borrowed from Japanese prints and paintings.

Q&As

What is Japonisme?
Japonisme is a term coined by the French art critic Philippe Burty in 1872 to refer to the fashion for Japanese art in the West and the Japanese influence on Western art and design following the opening of formerly isolated Japan to world trade in 1853.

How did Japanese art affect Western art and design in the late 19th century?
Japanese art affected Western art and design in the late 19th century by providing a source of inspiration for modern artists. It coincided with modern art’s radical upending of the Western artistic tradition and had significant effects on Western painting and printmaking.

How did the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists incorporate elements of Japanese art into their work?
The Impressionists and Post-Impressionists incorporated elements of Japanese art into their work by using decorative patterns, flattened spaces, and simplified figures in their paintings. They also borrowed compositional devices from Japanese prints and adopted both subjects and compositional strategies derived from them.

How did Art Nouveau incorporate elements of Japanese art?
Art Nouveau incorporated elements of Japanese art by using bright colors and flat forms in cloisonnist paintings, as well as by creating decorative objects such as folding screens and stained glass windows.

What are some of the characteristics of Japanese art that were attractive to Western artists?
The characteristics of Japanese art that were attractive to Western artists included decorative use of color, surface patterning, and asymmetrical compositions. They also found the subjects of Japanese prints, such as women in domestic interiors playing with children or grooming themselves, to be appealing.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an in-depth look at the fascinating history of Japonisme and its influence on Western art, from Edouard Manet to Pierre Bonnard. It is an incredibly informative and comprehensive overview of this important artistic movement.

👎 This article lacks strong visual examples of the influence of Japonisme on Western art. It would be more helpful to see images that demonstrate how Japanese art has inspired Western artists.

AI Discussion

Me: It talks about Japonisme, which was a fashion for Japanese art in the West and its influence on Western art and design in the late-19th century. The article discusses how works by prominent artists associated with Impressionism and Post-Impressionism were influenced by Japanese art, and how Japanese compositional devices were used by artists like Manet, Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting! It's amazing to see how Japanese art has had such a big influence on the development of modern art.

Me: Yeah, it's really fascinating! What do you think are the implications of this article?

Friend: I think it shows the importance of cultural exchange and open-mindedness when it comes to art. It's also a reminder of how art can transcend boundaries and inspire other cultures. It's inspiring to see how Japanese art has had such a lasting impact on Western art, and how it continues to influence art today.

Action items

Research the influence of Japanese art on other modern art movements, such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Visit a museum or gallery to view works of art that demonstrate the influence of Japonisme.
Create a work of art inspired by Japonisme, using traditional Japanese elements such as asymmetrical composition, decorative use of color, and surface patterning.

Technical terms

Japonisme: A decorative art fashion referring to the fashion for Japanese art in the West and the Japanese influence on Western art and design following the opening of formerly isolated Japan to world trade in 1853.
Chinoiserie: A European fashion for Chinese decorative arts.
Turquerie: A European fashion for Middle Eastern decorative arts.
Ukiyo-e: Japanese woodblock prints associated with urban entertainment districts in Japan and typically portraying famous actors, courtesans, and wrestlers, as well as landscape views of well-known sites.
Chiaroscuro: The use of light and dark shading to define three-dimensional forms.
Cloisonnist: A style of painting characterized by bright colors and flat forms.
Kabuki: A form of traditional Japanese theater.
Nabis: A group of French Post-Impressionist artists affiliated with both Pont-Aven and Symbolism.