Though many people associate Vincent Van Gogh with France, during his lifetime, he traveled to many countries, including Japan. Though he never actually made it there himself, he was heavily influenced by Japanese culture and this can be seen in many of his works.
Japan had always been an attractive destination for Van Gogh. He admired the culture and art of Japan and was inspired by its vibrant colors and bold designs. He even wrote to his brother Theo, expressing his desire to visit Japan and the promise of the grand vistas he believed he’d find there. Unfortunately, Van Gogh was never able to make the journey, dying in 1890 at the age of 37, far too soon to realize his dream.
However, though he never made the trip himself, his many admirers have. Japan has long been a popular destination for tourists, and many of them are particularly drawn to the sites and attractions connected to Van Gogh and his work. The cities of Tokyo and Osaka in particular are known to have large collections of work inspired by the artist, and often feature dedicated Van Gogh exhibits which draw huge crowds of eager fans.
Van Gogh was greatly influenced by the Japanese prints that he not only collected, but which he went to great trouble to purchase. He studied the works of Japanese masters such as Hokusai and Hiroshige and incorporated the strong lines and symmetrical patterns he found in their art into his own works. He also looked to the vivid colors and depth of sharp contrasts seen in the Japanese art of the time and made them the hallmark of his own painting as well.
As a result, even though Van Gogh never visited Japan, the influence of Japanese culture can be seen in much of his work. This has inspired many people to make the trip in his stead, in an effort to find and experience the same moments Van Gogh sought unsuccessfully in life.
A trip to Japan today offers an opportunity to explore the sites that influenced and inspired Van Gogh. One can visit the many sites which feature his work, or visit some of the places he likely wanted to visit, such as the popular tourist destination of Mt Fuji. Seeing Japan itself in person, and exploring it with the eyes of one of the world’s greatest artists, can be a truly life-changing experience.
Japanese Art
Though Van Gogh did not make it to Japan, he was heavily influenced by Japanese art. Before the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan’s art was distinctly different from the art of the West. It was characterized by vivid colors, flat perspective, and a disregard for naturalistic details.
Van Gogh was fascinated by the bold designs and geometric shapes used in Japanese art, and he often incorporated them into his own work, bringing a unique vibrancy and expressiveness to them. In his early years, his Japanese-inspired paintings featured strong outlines, block colors, and a lack of depth. As he matured as an artist, he sought to create pieces that combined the rustic beauty of Japan’s countryside with the vibrancy of the cities, taking inspiration from both.
Van Gogh’s admiration for Japanese art was not only demonstrated in his works, but even in his letters. He often spoke of the beauty of Japanese prints and the creative ways in which the Japanese combined nature with shapes. He held Japan and its art in high regard, saying in one letter “Japan is the master of color.”
Legacy
Though Van Gogh never made it to Japan himself, his fascination with the country and its art influence his life and work. Today, his legacy lives on in the country, with his work making its way to the Japanese art scene via the art pieces displayed in Tokyo and Osaka.
Van Gogh’s work has inspired a new generation of artists in Japan, just as it does all over the world. The vibrant colors and strong outlines of his works have a timeless appeal and are still revered by many. One of the most striking examples of this is his “The Starry Night”, a piece that has become an icon of both Van Gogh and Japanese art.
Also, a popular tourist destination in Tokyo features a sculpture of Van Gogh created by a Japanese sculptor called Yuko Tatsuta. This sculpture is a testament to the impact of Van Gogh’s work on Japan, as well as to the enduring appeal of his artwork.
Influence on Modern Art
Van Gogh’s influence on the art of Japan has been far reaching and still continues to this day. His unmistakable style can be seen in some of modern art’s biggest stars, such as Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama, who both echo elements of Van Gogh’s work in their own pieces.
Takashi Murakami is noted for bringing elements of traditional Japanese art into the contemporary context, as well as the influence of anime and manga, which has earned him the nickname “the Warhol of Japan.” Through his “Superflat” aesthetic, Murakami has been inspired by Van Gogh’s bold lines and vibrant colors to create an art form which melds traditional Japanese art with modern imagery.
Yayoi Kusama, frequently referred to as the “Queen of Polka Dots”, is also widely influenced by Van Gogh, as well as traditional Japanese art. Her bold use of bright colors and shapes is reminiscent of Van Gogh’s work, and her signature, meticulously hand-polished dots echo the flat, geometric lines of traditional Japanese art.
Van Gogh’s influence on modern Japanese art has been immense, and his works continue to inspire and influence artists in Japan, and all over the world.
Conclusion
Though Van Gogh never made it to Japan, his fascination with the country can be seen in much of his work. This influence is still felt in modern art in Japan, as his bold lines and vibrant colors have been adopted and embraced by some of the country’s most famous artists. Today, a visit to Japan offers an opportunity to explore the sites that inspired and influenced Van Gogh and his work, and to experience the same moments he sought unsuccessfully in life.
