I’m not discrediting the skill required to make this type of artwork I just don’t understand why it became popular enough to be the mainstay
A lot of these wood cut prints were created just right before or during the Meijji restoration. The Meijji restoration was basically a period where Japan underwent a radically conservative cultural shift. So it makes sense that these seem aged for the 1800’s, they were repopularizing art styles popular in China and Japan hundreds of years prior.
Yeap, I’m not usually very interested in a lot of art for the sake of art. But I do love history, and art throughout history has always been one of the better ways modern people can familiarize ourselves with the cultures of the past.
A lot of these wood cut prints were created just right before or during the Meijji restoration. The Meijji restoration was basically a period where Japan underwent a radically conservative cultural shift. So it makes sense that these seem aged for the 1800’s, they were repopularizing art styles popular in China and Japan hundreds of years prior.
That’s actually really interesting to know. I never really think about the political landscape and how it’s impacted artwork throughout history.
This is actually a often very inportant point. Art always evolved with society and politics are a big part of that. Art history is amazing!
Yeap, I’m not usually very interested in a lot of art for the sake of art. But I do love history, and art throughout history has always been one of the better ways modern people can familiarize ourselves with the cultures of the past.