Hokusai, an 18th-century Japanese artist, created a dizzying array of artwork. Hokusai worked well into old age, invariably asserting that "everything he did before the age of 70 was not worthwhile and was not worth attention."
Possibly the most famous Japanese artist in the world, he has always stood out from his fellow contemporary artists with his interest in everyday life. Instead of depicting glamorous geisha and heroic samurai, Hokusai painted workers, fishermen, urban genre scenes, which were not yet a subject of interest for Japanese art. He also took a European approach to composition.
Here is a short list of key terms that will help you navigate a bit in Hokusai's work.
1 Ukiyo-e are prints and paintings popular in Japan from the 1600s to the 1800s. A trend in the visual arts of Japan that has developed since the Edo period. This term comes from the word "ukiyo", which means "changing world". Wickie is an allusion to the hedonistic joys of a burgeoning merchant class. In this direction, Hokusai is the most famous artist.
Hokusai used at least thirty pseudonyms throughout his lifetime. Despite the fact that the use of pseudonyms was a common practice among Japanese artists of that time, he significantly outnumbered other major authors in terms of the number of pseudonyms. Pseudonyms of Hokusai are often used to periodize the stages of his work.
2 The Edo period is the time between 1603 and 1868 in Japanese history, when economic growth and a new interest in art and culture were noted.
3 Shunrō is the first of Hokusai's aliases.
4 Shunga literally means "picture of spring" and "spring" is Japanese slang for sex. Thus, these are engravings of an erotic nature. They were created by the most respected artists, including Hokusai.
5 Surimono. The last "surimono" - as these custom-made prints were called - were a huge success. Unlike ukiyo-e prints, which were designed for a mass audience, surimono were rarely sold to the general public.
6 Mount Fuji is a symmetrical mountain that happens to be the tallest in Japan. Over the years, she has inspired many artists and poets, including Hokusai, who produced the ukiyo-e series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. This series includes Hokusai's most famous prints.
7 Japonism is a lasting influence that Hokusai had on subsequent generations of Western artists. Japonism is a style inspired by the bright colors of ukiyo-e prints, lack of perspective, and compositional experimentation.
Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!
Japanese artists are distinguished by their unique style, honed by generations of masters. Today we will talk about the brightest representatives of Japanese painting and their paintings, from ancient times to modern times.
Well, let's plunge into the art of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The birth of art
The ancient art of painting in Japan is primarily associated with the peculiarities of writing and therefore is based on the basics of calligraphy. The first examples include fragments of bronze bells, dishes, and household items found during excavations. Many of them were painted with natural paints, and research suggests that the products were made earlier than 300 BC.
A new stage in the development of art began with the arrival in Japan. On emakimono - special paper scrolls - images of the deities of the Buddhist pantheon, scenes from the life of the Teacher and his followers were applied.
The predominance of religious themes in painting can be traced in medieval Japan, namely from the 10th to the 15th centuries. The names of the artists of that era to this day, alas, have not been preserved.
In the period of 15-18 centuries, a new time begins, characterized by the appearance of artists with a developed individual style. They marked the vector for the further development of fine arts.
Bright representatives of the past
Tense Shubun (early 15th century)
In order to become an outstanding master, Xubong studied Chinese Sung artists' writing techniques and their work. Subsequently, he became one of the founders of painting in Japan and the creator of sumi-e.
Sumi-e is an art style based on ink drawing, which means one color.
Shubun did a lot to make the new style take root in artistic circles. He taught art to other talents, including future famous painters, such as Sesshu.
Shubun's most popular painting is called "Reading in the Bamboo Grove".
"Reading in the Bamboo Grove" by Tense Shubun
Hasegawa Tohaku (1539-1610)
He became the creator of the school, named after himself - Hasegawa. At first, he tried to follow the canons of the Kano school, but gradually his individual “handwriting” began to be traced in his works. Tohaku was guided by Sesshu's graphics.
The basis of the work was simple, concise, but realistic landscapes with uncomplicated names:
- "Pines";
- "Maple";
- Pines and flowering plants.
Pines, Hasegawa Tohaku
Brothers Ogata Korin (1658-1716) and Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743)
The brothers were excellent craftsmen of the 18th century. The eldest, Ogata Korin, devoted himself entirely to painting and founded the rimpa genre. He avoided stereotypical images, preferring the impressionist genre.
Ogata Korin painted nature in general and flowers in the form of bright abstractions in particular. His brushes belong to the painting:
- "Plum blossom red and white";
- "Waves of Matsushima";
- "Chrysanthemums".
Waves of Matsushima by Korin Ogata
The younger brother - Ogata Kenzan - had many aliases. At least he was engaged in painting, but he was more famous as a wonderful ceramist.
Ogata Kenzan mastered many pottery techniques. He was distinguished by a non-standard approach, for example, he created plates in the form of a square.
Own painting was not distinguished by splendor - this was also its peculiarity. He liked to put calligraphy on products like a scroll or excerpts from poetry. Sometimes they worked together with their brother.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
He worked in the style of ukiyo-e - a kind of woodcut, in other words, engraving painting. For all the time of creativity, he changed about 30 names. The most famous work is The Great Wave off Kanagawa, thanks to which he became famous outside his homeland.
"The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai Katsushika
Especially hard Hokusai began to work after 60 years, which brought good results. Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir were familiar with his work, and to a certain extent it influenced the work of European masters.
Ando Hiroshige (1791-1858)
One of the greatest artists of the 19th century. Born, lived, worked in Edo, continued the work of Hokusai, was inspired by his work. The way he portrayed nature is almost as striking as the number of works themselves.
Edo is the former name of Tokyo.
Here are some figures about his work, which are represented by a cycle of paintings:
- 5.5 thousand - the number of all engravings;
- “100 Views of Edo;
- "36 Views of Fuji";
- "69 Kisokaido Stations";
- "53 Tokaido Stations".
Painting by Ando Hiroshige
Interestingly, the outstanding Van Gogh wrote a couple of copies of his engravings.
Modernity
Takashi Murakami
Painter, sculptor, fashion designer, he earned a name already at the end of the 20th century. In his work, he adheres to fashion trends with elements of the classics, and draws inspiration from anime and manga cartoons.
Painting by Takashi Murakami
The works of Takashi Murakami are classified as a subculture, but at the same time they are incredibly popular. For example, in 2008, one of his works was bought at auction for more than $15 million. At one time, the modern creator worked together with the fashion houses "Marc Jacobs" and "Louis Vuitton".
Tycho Asima
An associate of a previous artist, she creates contemporary surreal paintings. They depict views of cities, streets of megacities and creatures as if from another universe - ghosts, evil spirits, alien girls. In the background of the paintings you can often see the pristine, sometimes even frightening nature.
Her paintings reach large sizes and are rarely limited to paper media. They are transferred to leather, plastic materials.
In 2006, as part of an exhibition in the British capital, a woman created about 20 arched structures that reflected the beauty of the nature of the village and the city, day and night. One of them decorated the subway station.
Hey Arakawa
The young man cannot be called just an artist in the classical sense of the word - he creates installations that are so popular in the art of the 21st century. The themes of his exhibitions are truly Japanese and touch upon friendly relations, as well as the work of the whole team.
Ei Arakawa often participates in various biennials, for example, in Venice, is exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in his homeland, and deservedly receives various awards.
Ikenaga Yasunari
The modern painter Ikenaga Yasunari managed to combine two seemingly incompatible things: the life of today's girls in a portrait form and the traditional techniques of Japan come from antiquity. In his work, the painter uses special brushes, natural pigmented paints, ink, and charcoal. Instead of the usual linen - linen fabric.
Ikenaga Yasunari painting
This technique of contrasting the depicted era and the appearance of the heroines creates the impression that they have returned to us from the past.
A series of paintings about the complexities of a crocodile's life, which has recently become popular in the Internet community, was also created by the Japanese cartoonist Keigo.
Conclusion
So, Japanese painting originated around the 3rd century BC, and has changed a lot since then. The first images were applied to ceramics, then Buddhist motifs began to prevail in the arts, but the names of the authors have not survived to this day.
In the era of the New Age, the masters of the brush acquired more and more individuality, created different directions, schools. Today's visual arts are not limited to traditional painting - installations, caricatures, art sculptures, special structures are used.
Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers! We hope you found our article useful, and the stories about the life and work of the brightest representatives of art art made it possible to get to know them better.
Of course, it is difficult to tell in one article about all the artists from antiquity to the present. Therefore, let this be the first step towards the knowledge of Japanese painting.
And join us - subscribe to the blog - we will study Buddhism and the culture of the East together!
If you think that all great artists are in the past, then you have no idea how wrong you are. In this article, you will learn about the most famous and talented artists of our time. And, believe me, their works will sit in your memory no less deeply than the works of the maestro from past eras.
Wojciech Babski
Wojciech Babski is a contemporary Polish artist. He graduated from the Silesian Polytechnic Institute, but connected himself with. Lately he has been painting mostly women. Focuses on the manifestation of emotions, seeks to obtain the greatest possible effect by simple means.
Loves color, but often uses shades of black and gray to achieve the best impression. Not afraid to experiment with new techniques. Recently, he has been gaining more and more popularity abroad, mainly in the UK, where he successfully sells his works, which can already be found in many private collections. In addition to art, he is interested in cosmology and philosophy. Listens to jazz. Currently lives and works in Katowice.
Warren Chang
Warren Chang is a contemporary American artist. Born in 1957 and raised in Monterey, California, he graduated magna cum laude from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1981 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fine Arts. For the next two decades, he worked as an illustrator for various companies in California and New York before starting his career as a professional artist in 2009.
His realistic paintings can be divided into two main categories: biographical interior paintings and paintings depicting working people. His interest in this style of painting is rooted in the work of the 16th-century painter Jan Vermeer, and extends to objects, self-portraits, portraits of family members, friends, students, studio, classroom and home interiors. His goal is to create mood and emotion in his realistic paintings through the manipulation of light and the use of muted colors.
Chang became famous after the transition to traditional visual arts. Over the past 12 years, he has earned numerous awards and honors, the most prestigious being the Master Signature from the Oil Painters of America, the largest oil painting community in the United States. Only one person out of 50 is honored with the opportunity to receive this award. Currently, Warren lives in Monterey and works in his studio, he also teaches (known as a talented teacher) at the San Francisco Academy of the Arts.
Aurelio Bruni
Aurelio Bruni is an Italian artist. Born in Blair, October 15, 1955. Graduated with a degree in scenography from the Art Institute in Spoleto. As an artist, he is self-taught, as he independently “built the house of knowledge” on the foundation laid back in school. He began painting in oils at the age of 19. Currently lives and works in Umbria.
Bruni's early painting is rooted in surrealism, but over time he begins to focus on the closeness of lyrical romanticism and symbolism, reinforcing this combination with the exquisite sophistication and purity of his characters. Animate and inanimate objects acquire equal dignity and look almost hyper-realistic, but at the same time, they do not hide behind a curtain, but allow you to see the essence of your soul. Versatility and sophistication, sensuality and loneliness, thoughtfulness and fruitfulness are the spirit of Aurelio Bruni, nourished by the splendor of art and the harmony of music.
Aleksander Balos
Alkasandr Balos is a contemporary Polish artist specializing in oil painting. Born in 1970 in Gliwice, Poland, but since 1989 he has been living and working in the USA, in the city of Shasta, California.
As a child, he studied art under the guidance of his father Jan, a self-taught artist and sculptor, so from an early age, artistic activity received full support from both parents. In 1989, at the age of eighteen, Balos left Poland for the United States, where his schoolteacher and part-time artist Cathy Gaggliardi encouraged Alcasander to enroll in art school. Balos then received a full scholarship to the University of Milwaukee Wisconsin, where he studied painting with philosophy professor Harry Rosin.
After completing his studies in 1995 with a bachelor's degree, Balos moved to Chicago to study at the School of Fine Arts, whose methods are based on the work of Jacques-Louis David. Figurative realism and portraiture made up the bulk of Balos' work in the 90s and early 2000s. Today, Balos uses the human figure to highlight the features and shortcomings of human existence, without offering any solutions.
The plot compositions of his paintings are intended to be independently interpreted by the viewer, only then the canvases will acquire their true temporal and subjective meaning. In 2005, the artist moved to Northern California, since then the scope of his work has expanded significantly and now includes freer methods of painting, including abstraction and various multimedia styles that help express the ideas and ideals of being through painting.
Alyssa Monks
Alyssa Monks is a contemporary American artist. She was born in 1977 in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She became interested in painting when she was still a child. She attended The New School in New York and Montclair State University, and graduated from Boston College in 1999 with a bachelor's degree. At the same time, she studied painting at the Lorenzo Medici Academy in Florence.
Then she continued her studies under the program for a master's degree at the New York Academy of Art, in the Department of Figurative Art, graduating in 2001. She graduated from Fullerton College in 2006. She briefly lectured at universities and educational institutions across the country, and taught painting at the New York Academy of Art, as well as Montclair State University and Lyme Academy College of Art.
“Using filters such as glass, vinyl, water and steam, I distort the human body. These filters allow you to create large areas of abstract design, with islands of color peeking through them - parts of the human body.
My paintings change the modern look at the already established, traditional poses and gestures of bathing women. They could tell an attentive viewer a lot about such seemingly self-evident things as the benefits of swimming, dancing, and so on. My characters are pressed against the glass of the shower cabin window, distorting their own body, realizing that they thereby influence the notorious male look at a naked woman. Thick layers of paint are mixed together to mimic glass, steam, water and flesh from afar. Up close, however, the amazing physical properties of oil paint become apparent. By experimenting with layers of paint and color, I find the moment when abstract strokes become something else.
When I first started painting the human body, I was immediately fascinated and even obsessed with it and felt that I had to make my paintings as realistic as possible. I "professed" realism until it began to unravel and deconstruct itself. Now I am exploring the possibilities and potential of a style of painting where representational painting and abstraction meet – if both styles can coexist at the same moment in time, I will do it.”
Antonio Finelli
Italian artist - time watcher” – Antonio Finelli was born on February 23, 1985. Currently lives and works in Italy between Rome and Campobasso. His works have been exhibited in several galleries in Italy and abroad: Rome, Florence, Novara, Genoa, Palermo, Istanbul, Ankara, New York, and they can also be found in private and public collections.
Pencil drawings " Watcher of time” Antonio Finelli send us on an eternal journey through the inner world of human temporality and the rigorous analysis of this world associated with it, the main element of which is the passage through time and the traces it inflicts on the skin.
Finelli paints portraits of people of any age, gender and nationality, whose facial expressions indicate the passage through time, and the artist also hopes to find evidence of the ruthlessness of time on the bodies of his characters. Antonio defines his works with one general title: “Self-portrait”, because in his pencil drawings he not only depicts a person, but allows the viewer to contemplate the real results of the passage of time inside a person.
Flaminia Carloni
Flaminia Carloni is a 37-year-old Italian artist, the daughter of a diplomat. She has three children. Twelve years she lived in Rome, three years in England and France. Received a degree in art history from the BD School of Art. Then she received a diploma in the specialty restorer of works of art. Before finding her calling and devoting herself entirely to painting, she worked as a journalist, colorist, designer, and actress.
Flaminia's passion for painting arose as a child. Her main medium is oil because she loves “coiffer la pate” and also plays with the material. She learned a similar technique in the works of the artist Pascal Torua. Flaminia is inspired by the great masters of painting such as Balthus, Hopper, and François Legrand, as well as various art movements: street art, Chinese realism, surrealism and renaissance realism. Her favorite artist is Caravaggio. Her dream is to discover the therapeutic power of art.
Denis Chernov
Denis Chernov is a talented Ukrainian artist, born in 1978 in Sambir, Lviv region, Ukraine. After graduating from the Kharkov Art College in 1998, he stayed in Kharkov, where he currently lives and works. He also studied at the Kharkov State Academy of Design and Arts, Department of Graphics, graduated in 2004.
He regularly participates in art exhibitions, at the moment there have been more than sixty of them, both in Ukraine and abroad. Most of Denis Chernov's works are kept in private collections in Ukraine, Russia, Italy, England, Spain, Greece, France, USA, Canada and Japan. Some of the works were sold at Christie's.
Denis works in a wide range of graphic and painting techniques. Pencil drawings are one of his favorite painting methods, the list of topics of his pencil drawings is also very diverse, he paints landscapes, portraits, nudes, genre compositions, book illustrations, literary and historical reconstructions and fantasies.
Japanese painting is the oldest art form. It includes various forms, genres and diverse content.
Japanese painting is the oldest form of art. It includes various forms, genres and diverse content. Elegant art presents the world with pictures that are screens, wall paintings, silk or paper scrolls, fans, easel paintings and engravings.
Japanese painting is distinguished by a wide variety of genres and styles. The leading place in Japanese painting, as well as in literature, is occupied by nature. She is presented as the guardian of the divine principle. Japanese painting originates in Chinese art, so its genres are very similar to those of the Celestial Empire. Nowadays, many Japanese artists prefer to study in China.
Painting in Japan has several stages in its history. Each of them has its own characteristics and special features.
The initial stage of development is considered to be the time period from the middle of the seventh century to the end of the eighth century, called Nara. During this period, the temple of Horyuji was painted; it is an excellent evidence of the influence of Indian and Chinese traditions on Japanese culture.
The next period in the development of Japanese painting is called heian. It is famous for the active flourishing of temple painting and examples of secular image art. During this period, illustrations were created for novels and stories designed to entertain noble gentlemen.
Period Kamakura(occupies a time period from the end of the 12th century to the first half of the 14th century), which occupied the time period from the end of the twelfth century to the first half of the fourteenth century, is characterized by a change in styles, the search for new ways of depicting life. The mood of Japanese painting is changing dramatically. Previously, paintings conveyed an optimistic, light and joyful atmosphere. During this period, a big step was taken towards a realistic image, as well as giving the picture an almost military character. Characteristic subjects of painting are battle scenes from myths and history, religious scenes from the Buddhist tradition. The image of portraits of important statesmen is widespread.
During Muromachi(the time period from the first half of the 14th century to the second half of the 16th century), the trend that glorified Japanese painting all over the world comes to the fore. The philosophy of Zen Buddhism had a significant impact on painting, resulting in the popularity of landscape art. Monochrome technique received special elegance. During this period, Japanese painting was influenced by China. The most famous japan artist At that time, Toyo Oda, who specialized in painting landscapes, created the first paintings when he traveled around the Middle Kingdom. He developed the direction already at home.
The above trend was actively developed and supplemented during the following two periods in the development of Japanese painting - Monoyama And edo. Monochrome technique was a more sophisticated option. Carefully worked out and painted the details. The artists were not afraid of experiments and began to apply the techniques previously used in painting on scrolls and screens, in wall painting. Landscapes and crowd scenes began to be supplemented with psychological stories that show the hero at a moment of strong emotional stress. In addition to traditional painting in Japan, woodcut engraving has become actively spread. It was divided into two types: theatrical engraving and everyday writing engraving. The most famous master of theatrical prints is Choshusai Syaraku. Engraving of everyday life was actively developed in the work of Suzuki Harunobu and Kitagawa Utamaro.
Monochrome painting of Japan is one of the unique phenomena of the art of the East. A lot of works and studies are devoted to it, but it is often perceived as a very conditional thing, and sometimes even decorative. This is not so. The spiritual world of the Japanese artist is very rich, and he cares not so much about the aesthetic component, but about the spiritual one. Art of the East is a synthesis of external and internal, explicit and implicit.
In this post, I would like to pay attention not to the history of monochrome painting, but to its essence. This will be discussed.
Screen "Pine" Hasegawa Tohaku, 1593.
What we see in monochrome paintings is the result of the artist's interaction with the pine triad: paper, brush, ink. Therefore, in order to properly understand the work, one must understand the artist himself and his attitude.
"Landscape" Sesshu, 1398
Paper for the Japanese master, it’s not just the material at hand, which he subordinates to his whim, but rather, on the contrary, it is a “brother”, therefore, the attitude towards it has developed accordingly. Paper is a part of the surrounding nature, which the Japanese have always treated with reverence and tried not to subjugate, but to coexist peacefully with it. Paper is in the past a tree that stood in a certain area, for a certain time, “saw” something around it, and it stores it all. This is how the Japanese artist perceives the material. Often, before starting work, the masters looked at a blank sheet for a long time (contemplated it) and only then proceeded to painting. Even today, contemporary Japanese artists who practice Nihon-ga (traditional Japanese painting) carefully choose their paper. They buy it on order from paper mills. For each artist of a certain thickness, moisture permeability and texture (many artists even enter into an agreement with the owner of the factory not to sell this paper to other artists) - therefore, each painting is perceived as something unique and alive.
"Reading in a bamboo grove" Shubun, 1446.
Speaking about the significance of this material, it is worth mentioning such well-known monuments of Japanese literature as “Notes at the Headboard” by Sei Shyonagon and “Genji Monogotari” by Murasaki Shikibu: in both “Notes” and “Genji” one can find plots when courtiers or lovers exchange messages . The paper on which these messages were written was of the appropriate season, shade, and the manner of writing the text corresponded to its texture.
"Murasaki Shikibu at Ishiyama Shrine" Kyosen
Brush- the second component is the continuation of the master's hand (again, this is a natural material). Therefore, brushes were also made to order, but most often by the artist himself. He selected the hairs of the required length, chose the size of the brush and the most comfortable handle. The master writes only with his own brush and no other. (From personal experience: I was at the master class of the Chinese artist Jiang Shilun, the audience was asked to show what his students who were present at the master class can do, and each of them, picking up the master’s brush, said that it would turn out not what they expected , since the brush is not theirs, they are not used to it and do not know how to use it correctly).
"Fuji" ink sketch by Katsushika Hokusai
ink is the third important element. Mascara can be of different types: it can give a glossy or matte effect after drying, it can be mixed with silver or ocher shades, so the right choice of mascara is also not unimportant.
Yamamoto Baitsu, late 18th - 19th century.
The main subjects of monochrome painting are landscapes. Why don't they have color?
Twin screen "Pines", Hasegawa Tohaku
Firstly, the Japanese artist is not interested in the object itself, but in its essence, a certain component that is common to all living things and leads to harmony between man and nature. Therefore, the image is always a hint, it is addressed to our feelings, and not to vision. Understatement is a stimulus for dialogue, and hence connection. Lines and spots are important in the image - they form an artistic language. This is not the liberty of the master, who, where he wanted, left a greasy mark there, and in another place, on the contrary, did not draw well - in the picture everything has its own meaning and significance, and does not carry a random character.
Secondly, color always carries some kind of emotional connotation and is perceived differently by different people in different states, so emotional neutrality allows the viewer to most adequately enter into a dialogue, position him for perception, contemplation, thought.
Thirdly, this is the interaction of yin and yang, any monochrome picture is harmonious in terms of the ratio of ink and the untouched area of paper in it.
Why is most of the paper space not used?
"Landscape" by Syubun, mid-15th century.
First, the vacancy of space immerses the viewer in the image; secondly, the image is created as if it floated to the surface for a moment and is about to disappear - this is connected with the worldview and worldview; thirdly, in those areas where there is no ink, the texture and shade of paper come to the fore (this is not always visible on reproductions, but in reality it is always the interaction of two materials - paper and ink).
Sesshu, 1446
Why landscape?
"Contemplation of the Waterfall" Gayami, 1478
According to the Japanese worldview, nature is more perfect than man, so he must learn from her, protect her in every possible way, and not destroy or subjugate. Therefore, in many landscapes you can see small images of people, but they are always insignificant, small in relation to the landscape itself, or images of huts that fit into the space around them and are not even always noticeable - these are all symbols of the worldview.
"Seasons: Autumn and Winter" Sesshu. "Landscape" Sesshu, 1481
In conclusion, I want to say that Japanese monochrome painting is not randomly splashed ink, it is not a whim of the artist's inner ego - it is a whole system of images and symbols, it is a repository of philosophical thought, and most importantly, a way of communication and harmonization of oneself and the world around.
Here, I think, are the answers to the main questions that the viewer has when confronted with monochrome Japanese painting. I hope they will help you to understand it most correctly and perceive it when you meet.
