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In the second half of the 19th century, Japanese prints from the Edo era – as well as fans and other objects imported from Japan into Europe – had a tremendous influence on early modern painters, from Whistler and Monet to Degas, Mary Cassatt, and van Gogh. This 3-hour session delves into the fascination with Japanese aesthetics that swept through Europe in the 1860s and after. As Japan opened its doors to the West, a flood of Japanese prints, ceramics, fans, screens, and textiles introduced radically new ways of seeing and depicting the world. European artists embraced ukiyo-e’s flat perspectives, vivid colour contrasts, and delicate line work, sparking revolutionary shifts in composition, technique, and subject matter across Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Art Nouveau.

You will uncover how Japonisme encouraged bold choices in design, simplicity, and balance, inspiring new modes of expression that challenged traditional Western ideals. Ideal for art enthusiasts, this session offers a unique lens on the era’s cultural exchange and the birth of an artistic dialogue.