Japonisme
Discover the artistic movement that characterized a whole generation of artists at the end of the 19th century and influenced many fields.
Japanese art was brought to the West in 1867, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris. Siegfried Bing (1838–1905) was a dealer, collector, critic, and patron of the arts. He was a key player in bringing Japanese art to the attention of both amateurs and artists such as Gauguin and Bernard.
Gauguin and Bernard admired the unconstrained motifs of the prints in addition to the bright colors, the blocks of color and the asymmetric compositions. In 1872, the art critic Philippe Burty coined the term Japonisme, meaning the predilection for Japanese works and their influence.
Hokusai learned xylography at a very young age. From 1812, he traveled around Japan and produced numerous collections of prints. This piece is from the 1830s series: Wondrous Views of Famous Bridges in all the Provinces.
Satomi Hakkenden (XIXe siècle) by Gutagawa Gosotei HIROSADAMuseum of Pont-Aven
Although Japonisme was considered somewhat anecdotal because of its focus on everyday subjects, by the end of the 19th century, it was very popular with Westerners. It really took off during the Meiji era, when the country began to open up to the outside world.
The great private collections of Japanese prints in Europe had a strong influence on European painting, in particular on the Impressionists and the artists of the Pont-Aven School.
Fujisawa Station, by Hiroshige
In 1832, Hiroshige took part in the Shogun's procession along the Tokaido road, Japan's main thoroughfare. He created the Stations of the Tokaido. He made several versions of these. This print is the sixth of 53 stations.
The Seaweed Gatherers (1910/1910) by André JOLLYMuseum of Pont-Aven
The subject of this work by André Jolly is located in the Raguénès area in Névez (Brittany). It is not signed, but several preliminary sketches bear witness to its careful and thoughtful preparation.
The figures depicted are carefully scattered along the shore going about their business, some battling against the rising tide to haul up piles of seaweed with ropes.
Other people bend over to hoist the seaweed to the shore, and some women carry it away on stretchers. At the time, seaweed was sought-after for crops, particularly wheat.
This work illustrates the influence of the Pont-Aven aesthetic, which can be traced back to Gauguin and Bernard. It also demonstrates how the artist has assimilated the principles of Japanese printmaking.
Sunset in Douarnenez (1898) by Henri RIVIEREMuseum of Pont-Aven
Sunset over the Bay of Douarnenez
A renowned draughtsman, Henri Rivière was an artist with a particular interest in the aesthetics of Japanese prints.
This 12-color lithograph, which forms part of the Aspects of Nature series, depicts the sardine boats rowing as they wait for the wind.
All the boats are heading off to the cove of Saint-Nicolas, on the other side of the bay.
Belle-Île, Goulphar (1895/1895) by Jean-Francis AUBURTINMuseum of Pont-Aven
Belle-Île, Goulphar
Following in the footsteps of Claude Monet, many artists came to Belle-Île in 1886, including Moret, Russell, Matisse, O'Conor, and Auburtin.
Auburtin stayed there for the first time in 1894.
The following year, he decided to stay longer.
The Piglets of Le Pouldu (1889/1889) by Paul SERUSIERMuseum of Pont-Aven
Les Porcelets, a work of art by Paul Sérusier
Note the boldness of the framing, which cuts off the top part of the woman's body, as well as her single leg—an effective technique that portrays movement.
This was undoubtedly influenced by the emerging photography and framing style of the Japanese prints that were beginning to circulate at the time.
For Raymond Isey, "Japan was the equivalent of the discovery of a new aesthetic continent".
Source: Philippe Pons, "The Japanese craze sweeps through Europe," special edition Le Monde-La Vie, n°11, "The History of the West. Decline or metamorphosis?" 2014, pp. 124–125.
Sophie Kervran, director and curator of museums
Camille Armandary, in charge of exhibitions and communication
