Japonisme in Britain

Japan held a profound fascination for western artists in the latter half of the nineteenth century and the influence of Japonisme on western art was pervasive. Paradoxically, just as western artists were beginning to find inspiration in Japan and Japanese art, Japan was opening to the western world and beginning a process of thorough modernisation, some have said westernisation. The mastery of western art was included in the programme. This book examines the nineteenth century art world against this background and explores Japanese influences on four artists working in Britain in particular: the American James McNeill Whistler, the Australian Mortimer Menpes, and the 'Glasgow boys' George Henry and Edward Atkinson Hornel. Japonisme in Britian is richly illustrated throughout.

Ayako Ono gained her Doctorate from Glasgow University and is currently teaching in Japan.

List of figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Introduction 1. Japonisme Introduction: Japonisme and Japanese objects Japonisme in Britain Japonisme in Scotland (Glasgow) Mass production and design improvement: Christopher Dresser and Arthur Lasenby Liberty Japanese medieval and Greek art: William Burges and E.W. Godwin Women and Costume Conclusion 2. James McNeill Whistler's Japonisme Introduction Compostitions Japanese objects and subjectless painting Nocturnes Conclusion 3. Mortimer Menpes's visit to Japan: The influence of J. McNeill Whistler and Kawanabe Kyôsai Introduction Japanese subjects and Whistler's influence 25 Cadogan Gardens The influence of Japan Conclusion 4. George Henry and Edward Atkinson Hornel's visit to Japan and Yokohama Shashin Introduction Before the visit to Japan Yokohama Shashin in Broughton House Life in Japan Henry's Japanese subjects and use of photographs Hornel's Japanese subjects and use of photographs Conclusion Conclusion Appendices Glossary Notes Bi bliography Index