Japonisme

Cultural Crossings between Japan and the West
by Lionel Lambourne

This fascinating story of the West's extraordinary love affair with Japan begins with the arrival of Portuguese traders in the 16th century and continues through the emergence of the craze for all things Japanese in Europe and America in the late 19th century. Lionel Lambourne tells the remarkable story in a fluent and engaging narrative that focuses on the human drama of the personalities involved.

The story spreads far beyond the influence of Japanese prints and artifacts on artists—most notably Whistler and the Impressionists—to explore the effects of “japonisme” on the decorative arts, interior design, fabric and fashion, gardens and landscapes. The visual impact of Japan on the West was enormous, and this is wonderfully conveyed by the rich and varied selection of illustrations gathered here—some 250 in all—which include many original Japanese pieces juxtaposed with the works that they directly inspired, as well as a whole range of decorative arts, posters, fashion, cartoons, photography, gardens, and architecture.

See Details