The Japanese Ceramic. Images of Japan and the French Universal Exhibitions of the Second Half of 19th Century
The Japanese Ceramic. Images of Japan and the French Universal Exhibitions of the Second Half of 19th Century

Summary/Abstract: Since the seventeenth century, Japanese ceramics were exported to Europe, yet only few privileged collectors could own them. While the objects proved to intrigue European collectors, the connoisseurs had little information about these objects and their country of origin. Four universal exhibitions were held in Paris in the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1867, during the period of interest in Japanese arts in France, Japan participated there for the first time and its numerous porcelains were exhibited. The Westerners were greatly interested in the Japanese culture, art and in particular its porcelain, as its exotic characteristics were becoming reputable. During the second exhibition, held in 1878, French amateurs and critics renewed their interest in the Japanese stoneware. In fact, the simplicity and sobriety of Japanese stoneware were preferred to porcelain, as it was considered a reflection of Japanese ceramic culture. This aestheticism, more exotic and refined, strongly influenced the specialists of Japanese art in France. In 1889, Japanese porcelain was severely criticized for its lack of originality and for its imitation of European models in shape and décor. However, French ceramicists drew inspiration from Japanese stoneware quickly, as it was considered a pure representation of the Japanese ceramic art much more than porcelain. This report aims at investigating what Japanese ceramics represented for the French in the second half of 19th century. We are particularly interested in identifying how the French viewed and interpreted Japanese culture, art, motifs, colours and emblems by understanding how these objects were used in France. The use of these objects will be primarily examined at the time of universal exhibitions in Paris when Japonism peaked. Japonų keramikos dirbiniai nuo septyniolikto amžiaus buvo gabenami į Europą, tačiau tik keletas privilegijuotų kolekcionierių galėjo juos įsigyti. Nors Europos kolekcionieriai šiais dirbiniais labai domėjosi, žinovai turėjo labai mažai informacijos apie pačius daiktus ir jų kilmės šalį. Antroje devyniolikto amžiaus pusėje Paryžiuje surengtos keturios pasaulinės parodos. 1867-aisiais, kai prancūzai itin domėjosi Japonijos menais, Japonija pirmą kartą dalyvavo parodoje ir eksponavo daugybę porcelianinių dirbinių. Vakariečius nepaprastai sudomino Japonijos kultūra, menas ir ypač porcelianas, kurio egzotinės savybės buvo vis labiau vertinamos. Šio darbo tikslas – ištirti, ką japonų keramikai pristatė prancūzams antrojoje XIXa. pusėje. Labiausiai rūpi sužinoti, kaip prancūzai vertino ir suvokė japonų kultūrą, meną, pagrindinius motyvus, spalvas ir emblemas, stengiamasi suprasti, kaip šie daiktai panaudoti Prancūzijoje. Jų naudojimas pirmiausia bus ištirtas pasaulinių parodų Paryžiuje laikotarpiu, kai suklestėjo japonizmas.

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