Non-Western: Japan - Edo Period (1603-1868)

This virtual exhibit will explore the theme of nature and beauty during this time. This era is a great depiction of prosperity and peace, and reflects it with flourishing artistic expressions. 


The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831)
By: Katsushika Hokusai

The reason I chose this portrait is because its seen to be a great symbolic depiction of the drastic change happening in the Japanese society. There's no specific background information the the art work itself but for the artist, in all of his artworks he includes some type of traditional Japanese themes, which brings out those elegant designs, and beautiful techniques. The use of bold lining truly help bring out that overall sense of power and beauty in the waves. As for the use of color tied with the composition evoke a sense of isolation the boats were dealing with. In the background you can also see one of the waves looks like a mountain, that's seen as an element of the waves turning to land and the land turning to waves.


Red and White Plum Blossoms (18th Century)
By: Ogata Korin

For this portrait the reason I picked this was because I've never seen any art work like this one. It has a great beauty of abstraction and naturalism. It also had a great impact on modernism in the west. The composition is truly fascinating as its both dynamic and symmetrical, with the stream and this gives a sense of movement. The vibrant color contrast, with the use of lining, creates that visual impact and invokes a feeling of beauty and tranquility. Korin is a great artist of Rinpa or the School of Korin, this helped develop those natural designs and beauty in his art works. Rinpa was first noticed a century earlier (17th century), with a great relationship with another known artist in this era Hon'ami Koetsu.


Irises and Eight-fold Bridge (1820)
By: Sakai Hoitsu

The reason I chose this stunning masterpiece is because I think it compliments the previous artworks, with how it does a great job on capturing the naturalism and beauty in the Edo Period. As for some background information, the composition is inspired by one of the famous recordings of  "The Tales of Ise". Hoitsu also was inspire by Ogata Korin and his works, and was a know figure of the Rinpa school. The use of color of the irises, adds to that depth of nature and perspective. The composition and the lining with the irises and bridge, evoke that appreciation for cultural artistic visions. 




Bibliography

The great hokusai - why do we still obsess over that Japanese wave painting ?. Widewalls. (n.d.). https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/japanese-wave-painting-hokusai

Ogata Kōrin, red and White Plum Blossoms. Smarthistory. (n.d.). https://smarthistory.org/ogata-korin-red-and-white-plum-blossoms/

The Art Institute of Chicago. Irises and Eight-Fold Bridge | The Art Institute of Chicago. (n.d.). https://archive.artic.edu/beyondgoldenclouds/artwork/192018

Irises and eight-fold bridge. Saint Louis Art Museum. (2024, November 8). https://www.slam.org/collection/objects/48593/










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