Japanese Woodblock Prints. 40Th Ed

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Discover the captivating world of Japanese woodblock prints, an art form that deeply influenced 19th-century European modernism. This collection highlights the rich history and cultural significance behind these iconic prints, from their origins to their revival in the 20th century.

An in-depth look at the history and artistry of Japanese woodblock prints and their impact on Western art.

European pioneers like Edouard Manet and Vincent Van Gogh openly admired Japanese art, drawing inspiration from its unique style. The woodblock print, with its vibrant sensuality and dynamic freedom, sparked a wave of fascination known as japonaiserie, which captivated France and eventually all of Europe. Yet, this art form is often misunderstood as merely an exotic influence rather than a groundbreaking phenomenon in its own right.

Japanese woodblock prints stand apart as a singular artistic achievement with no true Western counterpart. The revolutionary ideas that shaped modern art-captured in Karl Marx’s famous phrase, "all that is solid melts into air", originated in Japan during the 1700s. These themes were masterfully expressed by artists such as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige in the early 19th century.

This volume, adapted from the extensive original XXL monograph, unveils the beauty and complexity of ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." It traces the evolution of this genre from its 17th-century roots through its decline and eventual resurgence in the early 20th century. The prints featured here offer an unparalleled glimpse into a unique artistic tradition and the changing cultural landscape of Japan.

From serene mountain scenes and snowy passes to vivid portrayals of samurai and courtesans, each print is examined as a standalone masterpiece. The stories behind the images come to life, revealing the people and motifs that shaped this vibrant world. The book explores the four central themes of woodblock prints-beautiful women, actors, landscapes, and bird-and-flower compositions-alongside depictions of sumo wrestlers, kabuki performers, and alluring courtesans, the celebrities of the "floating world" whose popularity fueled the intense production of these works.

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