What is Japonisme?

Japan started to trade with the West in 1854. Japanese woodcuts, screens, fans and other arts entered Europe.The 1862 World Fair and exhibitions in Europe brought further attention to Japanese art.‘Japonisme' referred to the influence of Japan on European and American artists. Western artists began to adopt many of the stylistic features of Japanese art- pure colours, curved lines, movement and two-dimensional spaces. Also, traditional Japanese subject matter, like gardens, prostitution and theater  were transposed onto the canvases of Western painters. Japonisme resulted in decoration being used as means of artistic expression.

William Merritt Chase (American artist, 1849 - 1916) Peonies 1897

It's About Time: Japonisme by American artists. 2013. It's About Time: Japonisme by American artists. [ONLINE] Available at:http://bjws.blogspot.com/2012/08/japonisme-by-american-artists.html.