Japonisme: The “Art of the Floating World” Captivates the West

The intriguing art and culture of Japan has always fascinated the Western World, and in the mid-19th Century, a wave of “Japanomania” swept across Europe and America. This talk will tell the story of how some of our favorite artists—Whistler, the Impressionists, Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists among them—incorporated these influences into their work. We will also learn how the inspiration of the Japanese aesthetic expanded beyond painting and printmaking into the decorative arts, interior design, furnishings, fabrics and fashion. JANET MANDEL is an award-winning art history educator.