What is japonism?
Naturally the first thought that comes to ones mind when hearing the word Japonism is that it has something to do with Japan. One would not be entirely wrong in that assumption, except that the word originated in France. It was first used in 1872 by author Jules Claretie, to describe the influence that Japan had on the Impressionist and Post Impressionist painters like Edward Manet, James Tissot, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent Van Gogh. Some may argue that it was larger reflections of the increased trade of Japanese goods like vases, screens and kimonos, among the European gentry. The masters of the Edo period often known as Ukiyo-e artists began to be known in Paris as collectors, writers and critics sailed off to Japan in the 1870s. They brought back with them, prints and curios that created a taste and influence. However it was more than a mere reflection as some artists, like Van Gogh went on to embrace some of the stylistic features of Japanese art its calligraphy and colours. It wa
Naturally the first thought that comes to ones mind when hearing the word Japonism is that it has something to do with Japan. One would not be entirely wrong in that assumption, except that the word originated in France. It was first used in 1872 by author Jules Claretie, to describe the influence that Japan had on the Impressionist and Post Impressionist painters like Edward Manet, James Tissot, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent Van Gogh. Some may argue that it was larger reflections of the increased trade of Japanese goods like vases, screens and kimonos, among the European gentry. The masters of the Edo period often known as Ukiyo-e artists began to be known in Paris as collectors, writers and critics sailed off to Japan in the 1870s. They brought back with them, prints and curios that created a taste and influence. However it was more than a mere reflection as some artists, like Van Gogh went on to embrace some of the stylistic features of Japanese art its calligraphy and colours. It wa
