Japan & Paris: Impressionism, Postimpressionism, and the Modern Era

by Christine Guth, Alicia Volk, Emiko Yamanashi

Japan and Paris demonstrates the deep cross-cultural nature of art in Japan from about 1880 to 1930. Illustrated with masterpieces from Japanese collections by Matisse, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Corot, Cézanne, and Monet, it explores the history of collecting Western art in Japan and its influence on Japanese modern art. In particular, it addresses the development of Western-style modernist impulses as Japan's early interest in the Barbizon School extended to include modes of expression such as Impressionism, Postimpressionism, Symbolism, Cubism, and Fauvism. In addition to showcasing works by some of the best-known French and European painters, works by Japanese artists who were instrumental in the introduction of Western modes of expression to Japan are included, such as Kojima Zenzaburo, Kume Keiichiro, Maeta Kanji, Mitsutani Kunishiro, and Fujita Tsuguharu.

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2004

Reviews

[Jenna]

This is a nice catalogue exhibition books and introduces many Japanese artists of the early 20th century that are completely new to me. The introductory essays are interesting and well-researched with good footnotes and sources. The title, for me, however was misleading -- as the focus seemed to focus more on how Japanese artists interacted with European artists/modern European artists, than the other way around. While the catalogue shows european artist and discusses what they learned from Japanese and Asian art, the essays only discuss in passing the influence and excitement "Oriental" art made in the late 19th century European art scene.