Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Name: Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints
SKU: 9783836585545
Availability: InStock

EGP1,130.00

From Edouard Manet’s portrait of naturalist writer Émile Zola sitting among his Japanese art finds to Van Gogh’s meticulous copies of the Hiroshige prints he devotedly collected, 19th-century pioneers of European modernism made no secret of their love of Japanese art. In all its sensuality, freedom, and effervescence, the woodblock print is single-handedly credited with the wave of japonaiserie that first enthralled France and, later, all of Europe—but often remains misunderstood as an “exotic” artifact that helped inspire Western creativity.

The fact is that the Japanese woodblock print is a phenomenon of which there exists no Western equivalent. Some of the most disruptive ideas in modern art—including, as Karl Marx put it, that “all that is solid melts into air”—were invented in Japan in the 1700s and expressed like never before in the designs of such masters as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige in the early 19th century.

This volume lifts the veil on a much-loved but little-understood art form by presenting the most exceptional Japanese woodblock prints in their historical context. Ranging from the 17th-century development of decadent ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” to the decline and later resurgence of prints in the early 20th century, the images collected in this edition make up a record not only of a unique genre in art history, but also of the shifting mores and cultural development of Japan.

We discover the four pillars of the woodblock print—beauties, actors, landscapes, and bird-and-flower compositions—alongside depictions of sumo wrestlers, kabuki actors, or enticing courtesans—rock stars who populated the “floating world” and whose fan bases fueled the frenzied production of woodblock prints. We delve into the horrifying and the obscure in prints where demons, ghosts, and otherworldly creatures torment the living—stunning images that continue to influence Japanese manga, film, and video games to this day. We witness how, in their incredible breadth, from everyday scenes to erotica, the martial to the mythological, these works are united by the technical mastery and infallible eye of their creators and how, with tremendous ingenuity and tongue-in-cheek wit, publishers and artists alike fought to circumvent government censorship.

This edition compiles the finest extant impressions from museums and private collections across the globe, accompanied by descriptions to guide us through this frantic period in Japanese art history.

SKU: 9783836585545 Categories: Books, E Artists A-Z, E Fashion, English Books

REFUND AND RETURN POLICY

Description
Reviews (0)

Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints Book Description

Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints is an engaging English‑language volume now available at Kalimat Bookstore Online. Readers will enjoy a vivid tour of the woodcut tradition that sparked the Japonaiserie wave across 19th‑century Europe. From Manet’s portrait of Émile Zola surrounded by Japanese treasures to Van Gogh’s careful copies of Hiroshige, the book shows how Western artists openly admired this unique art form.

Meanwhile, the woodblock print offers more than exotic scenery. It is a singular phenomenon with no true Western counterpart. The text explains how bold ideas—like Karl Marx’s claim that “all that is solid melts into air”—originated in 18th‑century Japan and later flourished in the works of masters such as Hokusai, Utamaro, and Hiroshige.

Furthermore, the volume places each print in its historical setting. It spans the 17th‑century rise of ukiyo‑e, the “pictures of the floating world,” through the decline of the medium and its revival in the early 20th century. Readers will see how these images reflect shifting Japanese morals, fashion, and daily life.

Key Features of Basic Art: Japanese Woodblock Prints

Inside, the book explores the four pillars of ukiyo‑e: beauties, actors, landscapes, and bird‑and‑flower scenes. Additionally, it highlights colorful subjects such as sumo wrestlers, kabuki performers, and alluring courtesans—icons whose fans drove mass production. Moreover, eerie prints that portray demons, ghosts, and otherworldly beings illustrate the tradition’s influence on modern manga, film, and video games.

Each chapter includes high‑resolution reproductions taken from museums and private collections worldwide. The accompanying captions guide readers through technical details, artistic intent, and the clever ways printers evaded censorship. Therefore, the book offers both visual pleasure and scholarly insight.

Why Read This Book?

Fans of art history will discover a rich narrative that connects everyday scenes, erotic works, martial subjects, and mythic tales. The story reveals how Japanese prints shaped modern aesthetics and continue to inspire contemporary creators. Because the author balances scholarly research with accessible language, the book suits both beginners and seasoned collectors.

Readers can also enjoy a clear, chronological structure that makes complex cultural shifts easy to follow. Moreover, the inclusion of rare prints provides a visual record unavailable in most galleries. The engaging style encourages readers to explore further, perhaps visiting local exhibitions or studying related genres.