The Nabis group of artists, an avant-garde movement of the late 19th century, was decisive for the development of the modern understanding of art. An often overlooked but essential element of their art is the influence of Japanese art. This article examines how Japanese aesthetics and art practices influenced the works of the Nabis and the significance of these influences for modern Western art.
The Nabis, who included artists such as Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard and Maurice Denis, were known for their search for new forms of expression and their rejection of academic art conventions. In this context, they found inspiration in Japanese art, particularly in the ukiyo-e woodblock prints that were becoming popular in Europe at the time.
Japanese art influenced the Nabis in several aspects. One of these was composition. The Nabis adopted the two-dimensional design and asymmetrical composition of Japanese prints, which represented a radical departure from the traditional Western perspective. These new compositional methods enabled the artists to depict space and depth in an innovative way.
Another important aspect was the use of colour. Influenced by the vibrant and contrasting colour palette of Japanese prints, the Nabis experimented with new colour combinations and techniques. They used colour not only to depict reality, but also to express moods and emotions.
In addition, Japanese art inspired the Nabis in its emphasis on the everyday and genre scenes. Similar to the ukiyo-e artists who portrayed scenes from daily life in the Edo period, the nabis focussed on depicting modern life, paying particular attention to the intimate moments of everyday life.
The Japanese aesthetic also promoted a new understanding of beauty among the Nabis. They turned away from the idealised depiction of reality and moved towards a more stylised, abstracted form of art. This shift had far-reaching effects on the development of the modern understanding of art in the West.
In conclusion, it can be said that Japanese art had a decisive influence on the works of the Nabis. By adopting and adapting Japanese aesthetics and techniques, they contributed to the development of a new art form that permanently changed both modern Western art and the understanding of aesthetics.