The beauty of Japanese art has always been admired by novice spectators and serious collectors alike. Some of the most beautiful paintings to come out of Japan were painted in the 19th century. Understanding more about the artists and their philosophies can help us develop a deeper appreciation for their work.
The Artists
Some of the more prominent Japanese artist of the 19th century include Kobayashi Kiyochika, Sakiko Ide, Kiyoshi Iwata, Yukio Katsuda, Toshi Yoshida, Shiro Takagi, Hiroyuki Tajima, Sanzo Wada, Junsuke Watarai. Theses are just a few of the artists who contributed beautiful pieces of art in 19th century Japan.
The Paintings
There are so many 19th century Japanese paintings to choose from. You may want to take the time to view works such as "Boy Viewing Mt. Fuji", "The Great Wave At Kanagawa", "Cranes And Blossoming Trees", "Bird In Winter Tree", "Flower of Forest" and "Monkey Reaching For Reflection of Moon".
Japanese Philosophy In Art
As with most painters, the early artists of Japan were influenced by their culture and current events. Religion also played a big role. For example, 19th century Japanese artists often used aesthetic principles of the natural world commonly found in the teachings of Confucius and Buddha.
Considerations
When studying 19th century Japanese paintings, it is important to remember that what you are indeed looking at is a snapshot of another culture in another time. Take notice not only to the focal point of the painting, but also the colors the artist used. Sometimes we can get a sense of the emotion the artists had while painting that particular piece.
