1112 artworks found. Among the thematic areas of Asian culture are works of art from different countries and eras. Above all, our collection of Far Eastern art includes many Japanese woodcuts, but also some drawings from the Indian cultural area and Chinese paintings.
The Japanese color woodcuts were made in the second half of the 18th century and continue to this day in Japan. A salient feature of these works is the absence of shadow and light. Instead of shading and different lighting conditions, the figures and areas are filled in full color. Stylized shapes depict the objects, figures, landscapes, water and plants. Like Chinese art, it is not about a true-to-life portrayal of the reality experienced, but about capturing the essence of the subject. At the same time, there was also a lack of perspective, another element that Japanese art combined with the Chinese. However, the Japanese were not unknown under Western influence, they rarely used them.
The thematic spectrum of Japanese woodcuts, also called "Ukiyo-e", includes natural depictions like birds, landscapes and flowers as well as the portraits of beautiful women. These could be nobles or street whirls and geishas. Permissive, erotic scenes were very popular in Japan, even though their sale was forbidden. On the other hand, there were also pictures of warriors, sumo wrestlers, actors and battles. Since the opening of Japan woodcuts have become very popular in the West.
Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave Before Kanagawa" shows Mount Fuji in the background, almost swallowed by the wave that almost fills the left half of the picture. The woodcut is now world famous and still influences artists.