Influences of Japonisme and The Impressionists

 

Japonisme 

Katsushika Hokusai, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” ca. 1829-1833

 Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” helped influence and inspire the Impressionists during the Romantical Era. In 1874  French collector and critic Philippe Burty coined the term Japonisme. It was used to describe the woodblock prints that were beginning to influence European artist. Before this time frame, Japan had been closed off from the rest of the world. From the mid 1600s till the mid 1800s Japan refused to interact with Western culture. A strict social order was enforced. Merchants and artists were poorest until Dutch merchants began trading. A game changer indeed! Artist like Monet and other impressionist were inspired by ukiyo-e's. 

Katsushika Hokusai's " The Great Wave off Kanagwa" has become one of the most famous prints world wide. It was probably printed over 8,000 times or more and was a series of prints called, " 36 Views of Mt. Fuji"  Prussian blue had just become affordable and with the Industrial Revolution booming, paint was becoming easier to store as well. This gave a great contrast for print making and bolder lines in shades and tones of blue. Bringing sharper contrast and values to light. 

This picture of a floating world shows a giant wave engulfing three fishing boats hoping to make it to shore. While Mt. Fuji is the only shore you can see. An outside perspective of what Japan was enduring at the time. The blues give you an eerie cold isolating feeling. While the white caps highlight Mt. Fuji as a pillar of strength, and highest point of the island. The white snow capped peak is a beacon of hope.

I would love a copy of this print! My mother-in-love has a bathroom curtain in her winter home and made doing laundry more enjoyable during spring break ;) 

Here's a couple of fun video's, Ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking with Keizaburo Matsuzaki

and  The Great Wave by Hokusai is a 15 minute YouTube video with some fun details about this print.

*fun fact most prints were only the price of a bowl of noodles.

Impressionism and Post Impressionism

Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh 1889

Ah! My favorite Impressionist! My niece teases me that I'm a total fan girl. And if you're not, that's ok. He wasn't famous till many years later. Most of us know a bit about the man, and if you don't that's ok too. He was a Dutch artist who stayed mostly in France. His letters to his brother helped us understand his life work better and has left quite and impression behind. 

Although "Starry Night" is not a imprint on a block of wood, the style of painting looks like a carved out stamp. The bold dark likes, and contrasts of white and yellow swirls to highlight the night sky shows a similarity to a ukiyo-e. The Dark tower brings a bold perspective, and mystery to the painting. 

"The Great Wave" represents a daunting time for Japan. Much Like "Starry Night"  Van Gough was expressing his depression, "the blues". Depression is a silencer, a heavy sadness, but he was able to use his creativity to express his insides. Hokusai shows us the giant wave to express the feeling of being engulfed with angry white caps. Van Gough was able to use bright yellows with oil paints. Even if a yellow that bright was available in ink, I think white encapsulates the ink print perfectly.

Could Van Gough been inspired by "The Great Wave"? Possibly. I was reminded of "Starry Night" when I was studying "The Great Wave". I'm always in awe of the contrasts of blues and yellows. The night sky is dancing, the hills ae calm. A peaceful village sleeping. Ah what! A dark tower! Even the tower is whimsical. There is life in the shadows and our mind wonders, gets lost. The starry night sky gives us a nice reminder of light in the dark times. I especially like the reflection of light in the cloud like hugging the hills and shimmer over the town, even on the tower and it's shadow also.

Of course I have a copy! I got the baseball tee with this print. Wear it all the time!

The Scream, 1893 Edvard Munch 

The world was changing quickly and so was the art word. So much was happening! No wonder Edvard Munch was having anxiety. "The Scream" is part of Munch’s semi-autobiographical cycle “The Frieze of Life,” An Norwegian painter, 1863– 1944 who used symbolism to confront the nature of subjectivity and its visual depiction. Munch’s wrote in his diary on January 22, 1892  after strolling by the fjords during sunset. He felt like the sky was on fire and bloody he, "Sensed an endless scream passing through nature.” 

Using a simple form gave room for the use of color to express the emotions going on internally. The Neo Impressionism movement allowed for artists to explore subjects. Prior most styles were landscapes, historical or portraits. Munch felt like the sky was on fire. In real life it probably wasn't as dramatic, but inside the mind it can feel as depicted in his famous piece of work. If not careful you can be consumed by the flame. Perhaps the scream was the sigh of relieve when he was able to catch his breath. I know helping my son through his homework anxiety last night while trying to do my own was inspiration for choosing this iconic piece. I need a copy for my house. Facing fears no matter how big or small is scary, but when you can apply swirls of orange and contrast with dark tones of blues its becomes relief.

The Influence of Japonisme and Neo Impressionism wanted to document everyday life as all the changes were happening. Also an influence from the ukiyo-e style prints that showed pictures of daily life in Japan. The Industrial revolution opened up so many opportunities for the art world. Neo Impressionism allowed new styles to express the internal world. Even at the risk of horrifying. I can really appreciate their movement and how helpful it has been for me in this post modern world we are learning to navigate in still. As we can see history repeats itself. Learning root causes can be more fun through art and self discovery.

Art Nouveau

The Three Ages of Woman, 1905 by Gustav Klimt

Art Nouveau was popular from 1890-1910 during the Post Impressionism movement. The best part about creativity is getting messy and making mistakes. Learning from them as well. Neo Impressionist had a couple of leaders and were breaking free from the naturalists and the realists. Science also help with color exploration as well. Art Nouveau was a short lived style of fashion and art that was used to rebel against the acidemia. They thought art was more than math and science. It was meant to express the soul and the consciousness.

Also influenced by woodblock art and inspired by the flow of nature and her curves and twisted line. This new art wanted to adorn space with beauty. From books, play bills, to hand crafts and lamps. Especially bringing harmony and continuity to interior design and house hold items. 

Gustav Klimt is a Art Nouveau artist from Austria and was part of the Succession. A group of artist revolting from the academic. He wanted to capture the natural beauty of women. "The Three Ages of Woman" Shows a long slumped naked woman. All her wrinkles and weathered skin. I can appreciate this. There is a natural beauty for aging. The winkles tell a story. Each grove of a wrinkle comes from enduring womanhood. She is watching over the mother and child laying n a bed of flowers in circular shapes with black dots for the centers of the flowers. Klimt intentionally put a dark block behind the top part of the background. Was the background to bold and took away from the story being portrayed? The three figures become the center of the painting showing how easily time passes. 

I feel like Klimt's painting is kind of floating there like a ukiyo-e. I almost thought it was, but he uses all the space to fill with color and design to create harmony. There is a piece of silky fabric that swirls around the mothers leg that is draped around the baby and brings us to the the little handprint being left on the mothers heart. A mothers love is endless and the gift is the tiny hand prints left on our hearts. 

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Works Cited:

The Great Wave by Hokusai: Great Art Explained. https://youtu.be/IBcB_dYtGUg?si=jDCzw7g4dHI5JS8W. 3/25/24

The Unique History and Exquisite Aesthetic of Japan’s Ethereal Woodblock Prints

By Kelly Richman-Abdou on August 1, 2019. https://mymodernmet.com/ukiyo-e-japanese-woodblock-prints/. 3/25/24

How Japanese Art Influenced and Inspired European Impressionist Artists

By Kelly Richman-Abdou and Margherita Cole on June 24, 2022. https://mymodernmet.com/japanese-art-impressionism-japonisme/ . 3/25/24

Annenberg Learner. Art: The Scream. https://www.learner.org/series/art-through-time-a-global-view/dreams-and-visions/the-scream/. 3/25/24

Smarthistory. Edvard Munch, The Scream. by Dr. Noelle Paulson. https://smarthistory.org/munch-the-scream/. 3/25/24

Vincent Van Gough: Starry Night. https://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starry-night.html. 3/25/24

Learn About ‘The Starry Night,’ Van Gogh’s Masterpiece of Post-Impressionism By Kelly Richman-Abdou, Margherita Cole, and Jessica Stewart on July 1, 2022. https://mymodernmet.com/starry-night-van-gogh/. 3/25/24

The Art Story. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/klimt-gustav/. 3/25/24

Ukiyo-e woodblock printmaking with Keizaburo Matsuzaki. https://youtu.be/t8uF3PZ3KGQ?si=6G7K0pphmRLTSGoD. 3/26/24

The Pathways to Enlightenment

 

Les hasards heureux de l'escarpolette (The Swing)

Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732 - 1806)

    This timeless classic work of art is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's most famous piece. "The Swing" was commissioned by an unknown person in the French court. This gave Fragonard a fresh new start for his career. He had been painting historical formal paintings for royal commissions and could now paint for private clients and freedom to explore a lighter subject matter and pleasure.

    Rococo has many characteristics, such as the wide use of flowers, warm pastels, and cream colors. Graceful lines and curves instead of symmetry. With references to Greek and Roman mythology in a park-like setting, giving an aristocratic lifestyle of luxury. 

    The private commissioner wanted a painting of his mistress in a dreamy garden, swinging over her lover, exposing her lacey skirts and garter. This risqué painting was created for a smaller space, like a cabinet or private study. Today it is widely studied and shows many hidden symbolisms. This gave Fragonard an opening to an inner circle of patrons, new clients, and fame.

    Fragonard was able to use the playfulness of the rococo style to enlighten the shadow side. While the young lady wants to break free from the constraints of an unwanted/forced marriage(the ropes of the swing and the husband in the shadows) she is still held back. However, in the illusion of her hidden secret, she swings forward toward her lover and enjoys suppressed pleasures. He also gives recognition to the rococo sculptor, Falconet. The lover is hiding in the rose bushes under the sculpture of "Menacing Love" with its finger to mouth to keep them secret lovers. 

    What really captivated me was the sunlight coming through the trees, and shining on the carefree lady on the swing in the spotlight. The artist really captivated the movement of swinging with the brush strokes in the skirts and using creamy whites for the skirts of the pastel silk pink dress of the aristocrat. The different layers of the shadows bring to light the freedom of indulging in the daily pleasures of life.

    It also reminded me of a scene from the book I just finished reading last semester, "Baron in the Trees" by Italo Calvino. I would love to have a copy of this painting in a room where I like to read. I think the size of the painting intended to be smaller for a more intimate setting was a good choice. I can see why it is still being discussed today.

Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso

by Angelica Kauffmann

Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso

oil painting by Angelica Kauffmann, 1782

    Kauffmann was born in Switzerland but made her reputation in Italy and England, where she was a founding member of the Royal Academy. This painting has a companion painting, "The Sorrows of Telemachus". They were executed in Rome for Monsignor Onorato Caetani, and also had his portrait painted by Kauffmann. She was among Europe’s most sought-after history painters. With a supportive father figure, Kauffmann was able to discover her talents at an early age. How inspiring are her achievements, especially at a time when women's rights were not yet equal.

    I choose Kauffmann's painting of Telemachus as an example of neoclassical painting. Neoclassical became popular in the second half of the Classical era from the influences of the unearthing of Pompeii. The inspiring ruins of Pompeii rebirthed the classics from ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, art, and science. Moving away from the vanity and gaudiness of the Rococo style. Humanism was able to make more progress from the Renaissance era, aiding toward thinking freely. Giving society a mirror to reflect on as society was transforming, and gaining enlightenment. The neoclassic belief was that art should express ideal virtues in life and help the viewer see the moralizing message. The revival of the classics made pathways for political revolutions for several governments.

    This painting depicts the story from, " The Adventures of Telemachus"by Francois Fenelon in 1699.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Aventures_de_T%C3%A9l%C3%A9maque#Themes  Telemachus is the son of Ulysses the Greek hero from the Trojan Wars. Telemachus goes in search of his father who hasn't returned from war yet. He has been guided by Athena, disguised as an old man. They have been washed up on the shores of an island inhabited by Calypso and her nymphs. Calypso falls in love with Telemachus from his mentor, and her nymphs distract the young man from his mentor. The book is from the gaps in Homer's Odysseus. Kauffmann was able to portray this vulnerable scene with a linear perspective. Using a soft skyline in the background, the dark cliff brings you into an intimate scene of Calypso pulling the goddess of wisdom and justice disguised as an old man guiding the young prince on his journey to find his father. The sea and sky are calm, but then you see the old man's face and it is stern. His hand is firmly saying "No!" as his rear foot hesitates to leave the young man alone with the nymphs. 

    I was really intrigued by the artist and her depiction of the author's story. I had a hard time picking from Kauffmann's collection. I settled on " Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso"  because I wanted to know more about the story. How hard it must have been for his mother to send her son off to look for his father who had been missing for twenty years. Telemachus' mentor practically raised him. Minerva is disguised as an old man trying to teach wisdom to a young prince who is naive and easily distracted by pleasure. To stay focused or indulge. History repeats itself unless we learn our lessons from the past. I think a copy of this painting would be nice in a study or library. The original should stay in its home at the Metropolitan in New York City. 

"Voltaire" 1778

Jean-Antoine Houdon, 1741 - 1828

    Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit and his criticism of Christianity and slavery, Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, religion, and separation of church and state. He was an outspoken advocate of civil liberties and pretty much a rebel. 

    Jean-Antoine Houdon was a neoclassical sculptor, who sculpted portraits of the leaders of the Enlightenment movement. Voltaire turned out to be his most popular sculpture. Houdon was able to capture the genius's weariness from fighting for justice, yet encapsulates his spirit and compassion for humankind. The smoothness of the marble material gives the subject's face a gentleness. Using the classical style from the ancient Greek and Roman styles makes this sculpture ageless.

    The Classical Era was a busy time. Breaking free from aristocratic life and revolutions happening, being an artist during this era sounded exciting. Voltaire was exiled to Switzerland, and Houdon was making sculptures of the leaders of the Enlightenment movement. A lot was going on then and still more going on today. 

    Allowing ourselves to reflect on history and see different perspectives of these different eras, allows us a deeper lens to see our present times. When I look at Houdon's marble sculpture of "Voltaire", I see the spirit of a man who never gave up fighting for what is right, human dignity, and respect. I could appreciate a replica of this masterpiece in my study space. The original should stay at the National Art Gallery in Washington D.C. to be inspired by Voltaire's wisdom and Houdon's sculpting talents.  

Works Cited:

"The Swing". Jean-Honoré Fragonard. https://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org:443/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=65364&viewType=detailView. 3/20/24

"Telemachus and the Nymphs of Calypso". Angelica Kauffmann. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436810. 3/20/24

"Voltaire". Jean-Antoine Houdon. https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.46715.html#overview. 3/20/24

Mystery Girl

Johannes Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring. 1666

Vermeer was part of the Delft Painter's Guild in the Netherlands. but not quite famous until the 19th century. This portrait is actually a tronie, a painting of an imaginary character. Vermeer has 36 paintings, but this one is his most famous one. Of the 36 paintings at the Mauritshuis house in Hauge, 18 have pearls in them. Iconic for the Baroque era, translated from Portuguese origin, borroco, meaning irregular pearl. 

The rise of the merchant class gave light to the Dutch Golden Age. Maybe that is how Vermeer was able to get the color Ultramarine from Afghanistan. They say the lazurite stone was worth more than gold during this era. It's quite a mystery how he could afford such a rare pigment? This must have been one of his favorite colors and is found in many others of his paintings. Especially the shadows, with tiny dots of paint to reflect light. This dance of light and dark gives this artist the name, "Master of Light" 

On days that you feel like you're not good enough, let yourself gaze at upon the glimmer of hope from the Dutch Mona Lisa. At the time the Dutch had broken free from the Spanish powers and there was some religious freedom for the Protestants. Interesting that Vermeer was actually Protestant, but married into a Catholic family and had 14 children with his wife, Catalina. Now that the golden age had come, the art scene had more freedom as well and artists were able to explore different subjects outside religion. 

So why are we still intrigued with this make-believe woman? Three hundred years later a beautiful story was made from this painting. Then of course a movie. The Baroque era really was an irregular pearl. Breaking out of conformity and being your own shape. Much like this tronie of a simple girl, wearing a head scarf that is out of place for the time. With just a few simple strokes for a pearl earring to add to the mystery of  Who's that Girl? 

Thinking about the significance of pearls reminded me of the Birth of Venus, the goddess of love from the Renaissance era. Venus is being brought to shore on a shell from the ocean by a breeze of roses and being offered the finest garments by a maiden. Venus is a reminder that we are love and perhaps Vermeer and Botticelli wanted us to know we are all unique pearls and made of love. 

The Birth of Venus

Sandro Botticelli 1445-1510

What do you think? Would you like to hang one of these masterpieces in your home? Maybe a replica? I think these pearls of history should be preserved in their proper places. I would love to paint Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and discover my own story. It would be so much fun to work with Ultramarine and get messy and make some mistakes on the canvas and let my muse choose the strokes of light and dark. 

Works Cited

The Birth of Venus, https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/birth-of-venus

Girl with a Pearl Earring, https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/our-collection/our-masters/johannes-vermeer/

Who's that Girl, https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/who-is-that-girl-with-a-pearl-earring/,