East Asian Aesthetics and the Space of Painting in Eighteenth-Century Europe

This book explores how European imports of East Asian textiles, porcelain, and lacquers, along with newly published descriptions of the Chinese garden, inspired a revolution in the role of painting in early modern Europe. It focuses on French interiors and how a European enthusiasm for East Asian culture and a demand for novelty transformed the dynamic between painting and decor. Models of space, landscape, and horizon from Chinese and Japanese objects and their ornamentation disrupted prevailing design concepts in Europe, causing paintings to be viewed as discrete images displayed on a wall, elevating their status to autonomous works of art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2024
Publisher: Getty Trust Publications

Introduction:
In the early modern period, Europe experienced a profound shift in its artistic landscape, driven by the influx of East Asian textiles, porcelain, and lacquers. These imports, along with newly published descriptions of the Chinese garden, sparked a revolution in the role of painting in the region. This volume offers the first comprehensive account of this transformative process, focusing on the impact of East Asian aesthetics on French interiors.
European Enthusiasm for East Asian Culture:
The arrival of East Asian goods in Europe was met with a keen interest and enthusiasm by the continent's elite. The exotic nature of these items, coupled with their intricate designs and vibrant colors, captivated the senses of European artists and collectors. As a result, a demand for East Asian culture and novelty emerged, leading to a renewed appreciation for the arts and a search for new sources of inspiration.
Transformation of the Painting-Decoration Relationship:
One of the most significant effects of the East Asian influence on European art was the disruption of the traditional relationship between painting and decoration. In the past, paintings were often used as pictorial windows, showcasing the beauty of the surrounding environment. However, with the introduction of East Asian models of space, landscape, and horizon, European artists began to view paintings as discrete images displayed on a wall. This shift in perspective challenged prevailing design concepts and allowed paintings to gain autonomy and status as independent works of art.
Disruption of Symmetry and Geometrized Order:
East Asian aesthetics were characterized by a departure from the symmetrical and geometrized order that had dominated European art for centuries. Chinese and Japanese objects, for example, were often adorned with intricate patterns and ornamentation that defied traditional Western notions of balance and proportion. This disruption of symmetry and order led to a new appreciation for the irregular and asymmetrical, which became a hallmark of European art in the early modern period.
Autonomy of the Painting:
As paintings gained autonomy and status as independent works of art, they began to be viewed as objects in their own right. Artists began to experiment with new techniques and styles, pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the art world. This period saw the emergence of genres such as still life, landscape, and portraiture, which allowed artists to explore their own personal visions and express their unique perspectives.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the influence of East Asian textiles, porcelain, and lacquers on European art in the early modern period was profound. The introduction of these goods sparked a revolution in the role of painting, challenging prevailing design concepts and enabling European artists to gain autonomy and status as independent works of art. The disruption of symmetry and geometrized order, coupled with the exploration of new techniques and styles, led to the emergence of a vibrant and dynamic art scene that continues to influence contemporary art.

Weight: 870g
Dimension: 181 x 255 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781606067970