Japanese Quest for a New Vision: The Impact of Visiting Chinese Painters, 1600-1900

26 March–3 May 1987

Japanese Quest for a New Vision: The Impact of Visiting Chinese Painters 1600-1900 explored the cultural interaction between China and Japan in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In the 18th century, a growing number of artists outside the traditional painting schools sought new forms of artistic expressions. Though trade sanctions were enforced with other countries, Chinese merchants were permitted to trade with Japan, leading to an influx of artistic interaction. This allowed artists like I Fu-chiu, who painted in the restrained spirit of the Chinese Yuan dynasty masters, to bring his style to Japan, in addition to the bird-and-flower style introduced by Shen Ch’uan, the ink painting by the Obaku sect Zen monks, and the “boneless” style which allowed for freely-shaped forms without drawn outlines. Another source of influence on Japanese painting was Chiang Chia-p’u, who built up landscapes gradually by overlaying small brush strokes and using wash to create full compositions. Japanese painters also copied Chinese works and Chinese artist-visitors, and Japanese Nanga was transformed by Chinese influence between the late 1600s and the 1800s. 

Curator: The exhibition was organized by the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas.

The exhibition was made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

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