Session 2 : Art for Arts sake

​Here I have chosen the painting ‘Princess from the land of Porcelain’ which is a famous piece from the American painter James A.M Whistler, painted from 1863 to 1865. The reason as too why I’ve chosen this piece of work is because you can clearly see the Japanese influence on the work, more specifically an influence from Kitagawa Utamaro, who was a Japanese woodblock maker. This is showcased in the painting throughout the props such as the Japanese setting which is similar to the Japanese Ukiyo-e, which is a woodblock print which had been used as inspiration by many Western artists around the 1860s in which these prints had started to become popular in Europe. These woodblock Ukiyo-e prints where unique and different from western artwork of the time due to its asymmetrical compositions as well as the use of shapes cropped at unusual angles as well as having flattened perspectives. Some other features of James A.M Whistlers painting which convey inspiration from Japanese style artwork is the costume and the props in the background such as the screen in the back which can also be seen in the Japanese Ukiyo-e. James Whistlers painting of the ‘Princess from the land or Porcelain’ clearly showcases examples of Japonism as well as other artists of the time such as James Tissot’s ‘La Japonaise au bain’ painted in 1864, and Alfred Stevens ‘Girl wearing a kimono’ which also shows an influence from Japanese artwork. The manufacturing of these artwork where also incredibly different. The Japanese Ukiyo-e was mass produced and depicted scenes of everyday Japanese middle class, and where shipped all over Europe during the late 19th century when its popularity grew. Compared too James Whistlers Piece which took 2 years for him to complete and was sold off too private buyers before being acquired by the Freer Gallery of art which is located in Washington where it is located in the peacock room.

James Whistler : Princess from the land of Porcelain - 1863

A Japanese Ukiyo-e – 17th century to 19th century