Japanese Paintings

Japanese paintings are the oldest and most highly refined as a visual art, which this type of art spreads in a wide selection of genres and styles. Basically the Japanese art began from the ‘Asuka period’ (538-710) which later continued through later periods. The Edo period started in the 16^th Century but it continued till the mid 19^th Century but the ‘Pre-war period’ continued after the ‘Edo period’ in the mid 19^th century till mid 20^th Century to make the art modern and to engage with the world. Then the ‘Post-war period’ continued from 1945 till now. The ‘Post-war period’ was going back to the present art.

If we look at the style of the 19^th Century, Japanese art was very popular around Europe and many artists were influenced and inspired from their art like the Post-Impressionists, Japonisme and more. They had many different styles and the Japanese were interested from different aspects and influences such as Western. The Importance of this period was too widespread to modernize and engage with Europe that characterizes the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration did many interesting art which created different work such as Foreigners in the Drawing room of a Foreign Merchant`s House in Yokohama, The Great wave of Kanagawa and more. Another interesting aspect is that they were creating different paintings such as Mural paintings, Calligraphy, Japanese prints and more.

This is the Great Wave of Kanagawa.

In Malta we were interested in Japanese paintings and we had many artists that got influenced from them. We had also organised Exhibitions and Events regarding Japanese art. In 2006, there was the Japanese art Exhibition hostong, Osaka Art show from the international selection (oasis), which is owned by the Japanese company called ‘Reijnsha’. In this Exhibition they had around 42 artworks and this was held at the Westin Dragunara. 

This is Mr Endo presenting the Japanese paintings

Resource:

Kodansha International Ltd.The Virtual Museum of Japanese Art- Fine Arts-Paintings.(Online) Available at.< http://web-japan.org/museum/about_pa.html>