top of page

Japonism

From plagiarism to Modernity
1858-1910

62.jpg
The Impressionists
The Impressionists
260px-Paul_Gauguin_025.jpg
Gauguin wreaks havoc 

The creative genius of the European avant-garde may not have been the result of an artistic big bang, but rather the fruit of an extraordinary hybridisation between European and Japanese art.

1. The story of a breaking wave

Discovering and assimilating

 

After Japan was forced to open up in 1854, Europeans began to import Japanese objects on a massive scale. Despite being the absolute negation of Western artistic tradition, these "Japoneries" provided Europe with the foundations of its modernity.

​

3. The avant-garde and Japan, 1

Two great decorators:

 

  • Gustav Klimt, the revelation of Katagami and Mon

  • Vincent van Gogh, a passion for Ukiyo-e

Readings Siegfried Wichmann, Japonism: The Japanese Influence on Western Art Since 1858, Thames and Hudson, 1999 Marc Restellini, Sjraar Van Heugten, Wouter Van der Veen , Gabriel P. Weisberg, Vincent van Gogh, Rêve de Japon, Van Restellini ed., 2012 Danièle Devynck, Toulouse Lautrec et le japonisme, Musée Toulouse Lautrec d'Albi, 1999

Iconographic study

bottom of page