In
the 1800s, Western art was heavily influenced by Japanese prints. Vincent Van
Gogh once wrote to his brother, Theo “We like Japanese painting we have felt its
influence, all the Impressionists have that in common.” The Impressionists
appreciate he bright colors of the Japanese artwork, the bold lines and the two
dimensional backgrounds. This Japanese influence featured heavily in Van Gogh’s
artwork. This exhibit allows you to compare Van Gogh’s work to the Japanese art
he so admired.
Artist:
Nineteen prints by Kikugawa Eizan (Japanese, 1787–1867)
Artist:
Two prints by Utagawa Kunisada (Japanese, 1786–1865)
Artist:
Three prints by Utagawa Kunimaru (Japanese, 1793–1829)
Title:
Album of Prints by Kikugawa Eizan,
Utagawa Kunisada, and Utagawa Kunimaru
Period:
Edo period (1615–1868)
Date:
19th century
Culture:
Japan
Medium:
Album of 24 polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper
Dimensions:
14 5/8 × 9 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (37.1 × 24.8 × 3.2 cm)
Classification:
Prints
Credit
Line: Gift of Mary L. Cassilly, 1894
Accession
Number: JP205
This
album feature artwork by three different artists. The top portrait shows two Geishas
on a blank background. Their colorful clothes appealed to Impressionist ideals
as well as the two-dimensional quality of the background. The Geisha theme is
seen in other Japanese artwork from this time period.
Artist:
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853–1890 Auvers-sur-Oise)
Title:
Madame Roulin and Her Baby
Date:
1888
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
25 x 20 1/8 in.
Classification:
Paintings
Credit
Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession
Number: 1975.1.231
The
baby is detailed but appears to lay flat against the background. Madame Roulin blends in with the background only distinguished by a sharp outline of her
form. The bold outlines were learned from the Japanese artists as were the
bright colors.
Artist:
Rankō (Japanese)
Artist:
Watanabe Nangaku (Japanese, 1763–1813)
Artist:
Tetsuzan Sōdon (Japanese, 1532–1617)
Title: Album of the Phoenix Bird (Ranpō jō)
Period:
Edo period (1615–1868)
Date:
1806
Culture:
Japan
Medium:
Woodblock printed book (orihon, accordion-style); ink and color on paper with
metallic pigments (?)
Dimensions:
9 13/16 × 7 1/16 in. (25 × 18 cm)
Classification:
Illustrated Books
Credit
Line: Purchase, Mary and James G. Wallach Foundation Gift, 2013
Accession
Number: 2013.794
This
album features artwork by three different artists. The particular picture being
shown depicts two women on the bottom right corner and four cherry blossom trees
on the top right corner atop two otherwise barren hills. The women’s clothes are
brightly colored contrasting with the barren unpainted hills. The bold outlines
provide an even starker contrast between the women and the hills so you can see
clearly where one ends and the other begins. There is some depth in that the
trees are smaller than the women showing they are farther away.
Artist:
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853–1890 Auvers-sur-Oise)
Title:
Irises
Date:
1890
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
29 x 36 1/4 in. (73.7 x 92.1 cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit
Line: Gift of Adele R. Levy, 1958
Accession
Number: 58.187
Van
Gogh’s “Irises” show blue irises that fill up the majority of the picture. They
are set in a white vase upon a green table against a pale pink background. The
table is simply a horizontal green strip with a loose black outline and takes
up about an eighth of the picture. The irises are centered on the table and
extend to both sides of the frame giving it a feeling of being flat. The brush
strokes are varied and very visible and give the painting texture. Van Gogh
uses a limited color scheme composed of cool colors which gives the viewer a
since of harmony and peace.
Artist:
Woodblock for a print designed by Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Title:
An Actor Beside Water
Period:
Edo period (1615–1868)
Culture:
Japan
Medium:
Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Dimensions:
14 x 8 7/8 in. (35.6 x 22.5 cm)
Classification:
Prints
Credit
Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Steel, 1960
Accession
Number: JP3392
The
man is detailed and naturalistic. You can see shading in his clothes and muscles
in his arms and legs, and his stomach bulges. In contrast, the background is very
two dimensional and the man appears to be right on top of it. The background
also takes up the largest portion of the artwork. These are things that fascinated Impressionists
like Vincent van Gogh.
Artist:
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853–1890 Auvers-sur-Oise)
Title:
Wheat Field with Cypresses
Date:
1889
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
28 7/8 × 36 3/4 in. (73.2 × 93.4 cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit
Line: Purchase, The Annenberg Foundation Gift, 1993
Accession
Number: 1993.132
The
large open sky, visible brush strokes, and the concreteness of the clouds are typical
of Van Gogh. The open sky and swirls in the clouds are techniques that could’ve
been inspired by Japanese painters. The detail he puts into the landscape scene
however, is more reminiscent of the European tradition. The visible brush strokes
are also characteristic of the Impressionist era but don’t seem to be taken
from the Japanese prints.
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