I chose this artwork not only to explore technique of the movement in Oriental culture in 17th century, but also through this artwork students will learn the relationship between Asian and Western culture and how they influenced each other in Art. As I pointed out earlier, the organic curved line is dominant, similar to that of Art Nouveau's.

 

There were three distinct periods in which Japan exerted an artistic influence on western culture. The first occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries through the export and import of ceramic ware, the second was in the mid-19th century through the popularity of the ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and the third occurred at the turn of the century in the areas of ornamentation and design. The influence of Western art in Japan could first be seen in the latter half of the Edo period (1603-1868). Western influences on Japan encompassed broad areas of culture, including astronomy, geography and medicine, as early as the Edo period. Conversely, the aesthetic and intellectual influence of Japan on the West was limited to art and did not involved other cultural aspects. 

 

Art Nouveau in France and Judendstil in Germany between 1890 and 1910, both movements were deeply influenced by the Japanese arts and crafts of the Edo period. (see Fig. 3) Art Nouveau attempted to transform the spaces of everyday existence into art. (see Fig.4)  What Clude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, and Pierre Bonnard pursued so exhaustively was a two-dimensional picture that would represent the structure of the three-dimensional world. In that sense, this painting Fujin raijin zu shows the maximised three dimensional effect in two dimentional representation. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designs that usually would not appear in Western pictures, such as Japanese plants and flowers, dragonflies, and butterflies began to be seen in glassware created by French artists such as Emile Gallie (see fig 6). 

 

Art Nouveau revived the line. This is made immediately obvious when one observes the absence of straight lines and the use of delicate curves that characterized the work of this period. Aubrey Beardsley in London and Gustav Klimt in Vienna were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, respectively abandoned the use of three dimensional perspective in their attempt to maximise the sensual effects of flowing lines on a two-dimensional place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which designs of the Edo period exerted the strongest influence on the Western masters of Art Nouveau? Most of the fundamental design elements were created by the Rimpa school of Japan whose decorative, evocative elements became popularized as patterns that spread thoroughout Japan and became widely used by the artisans of the Edo period. Decoration of daily living into art became the goal of artists whose interest centred on decorative decorative design, Japanese art became a vast treasure trove of potential influences. 

 

This painting indicates the exchange of culture between Japan and Europe in the early of 17th century as well as Japanese lore, belief, and unique technique and style in painting.

 

Through the research and examination of this artwork, students will:

 

• Cultural background of artwork

• Formal qualities and technique/style of artwork