Le japonisme au 19ème siècle en France/Japonisme in 19th Century France

Author

Maya Krzywda, College of the Holy Cross

Date of Creation

5-6-2024

Document Type

Campus Access Only

First Advisor

Emma Burston

Abstract

Amidst the surge of modernization and rapid change of the mid-19th century, a group of French artists and writers sought to anchor themselves in a sense of antiquity and purity to resist the relentlessly changing world around them. This quest, however, also reflected France's prosperity and progress. The encounter with Japan introduced the French to a captivating duality: an appreciation for the simplicity of Japanese culture alongside a showcase of French affluence. Thus emerged Japonisme, a movement in France characterized by a romanticized and simplified view of Japanese culture. It offered the French a nostalgic refuge, a perceived connection to the innocence of the East amidst their modern lives. From intellectuals to the general public, this fascination with the "primitive", untouched, Japan captivated France, igniting a renaissance in modern art.

Comments

Reader: Thibaut Schilt

Recommended Citation

Krzywda, Maya, "Le japonisme au 19ème siècle en France/Japonisme in 19th Century France" (2024). College Honors Program. 116.
https://crossworks.holycross.edu/honors/116