In discussing Asian art in Europe, looking at Chinese and Japanese vases for their influence on European culture is integral. Chinese porcelain vases were imported into Europe and were prized for their intricate artwork in shades of blue on white porcelain. Today, we recognize delftware as a mark of Dutch culture but often fail to recognize the Asian influence in the art.
Looking closely at the Japanese Arita Porceline Vase, we can see the globalization of Asian arts and the artist’s intent for commercial success in Europe. The vase has vivid imagery of two people in a setting typical of Japanese block prints, which would have also been famous in Europe at the time. The image is highly vertical, with lines formed by a tree, an umbrella, the two upright figures, and the figures’ upward gaze. The image matches the contour of the vase and seamlessly blends the art with the vessel to create a non-functional, decorative object. The artist might have intended his art to beautify the vase with familiar Japanese representation to the European buyer. The art maintains its ‘exotic’ aspects of fine porcelain work but also was intended as an object to be imported and appreciated by a global audience. This appreciation is evident when we look a the effect of Japonisism on Europe and European art in the years to come.