Yesterday, I taught the freshman
about the Meiji Restoration. Primarily, in studying the Meiji Restoration you
hear of how the West influenced Japan. Fun fact: Emperor Meiji’s cabinet
was called the “Dancing Cabinet” because they were obsessed with western
ballroom dancing. However, just like the Igbo culture, Japanese culture also
had an enormous influence on Western art through the late 1800s to the early
1900s.
I
did a little experiment in my presentation with the freshman. I put these two
works next to each other and ask them what nationality they thought the artists
of the two works were.
The first one they got right
away—Japanese. It’s actually a traditional Japanese woodblock print. However,
no one knew the second, which is The Courtesan by Vincent van Gogh c. 1887.
Van Gogh coined the term
“Japonaiserie,” which he used to describe the influence of Japanese art. In
1888, Van Gogh wrote “All my work is based to some extent on Japanese art…”
1 comment:
I never knew that Japanese art had such an influenced on Van Gogh. I can definitely see it now though. My favorite works of his are his depictions of trees. He has a series of almond blossom trees that look so much like the Japanese cherry blossom trees in traditional Japanese art. I really like Van Gogh's work, especially his portraits. I saw one of his self portraits in the Muse D'orsay and was inspired by his loose lines and bright colors.
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