ART HISTORY quest. How well did Western artists understand Non-Western art?

Question

Question Details:for one of my classes we have to answer this short answer question, but i seem to be completely lost and confused. please give me some advise to lead me in the right direction! THANKS! "what was the influence of Non-Western cultures on late-nineteenth century art movements. How well Western artist understand Non-Western are? but please tell me, what are some "non-western" cultures and styles or artwork the influenced? THANKS SO MUCH! anything will be a great help!

Answer 1

I think Western artists understood the physical aspect of non-western art but not the philosophy or theology behind it. Each country's art was mostly representative of its religion. This is especially true of Indian art which is based on its own Hindu mythology. They had their own panthion of gods, live Shiva and Vishnu. I don't think western artists understood their mythology. Chinese, Japanese and Korean art was based on Buddhism with its own pantheon of gods and its own mythology. But they appreciated the powerful images of Budda and the other deities of Buddhism.
But its was in the minor arts that are not based on religion and mythology that most influenced the West. This was especially true in ceramics. Many countries in the West developed their own traditions of ceramics based on the earlier Chinese techniques and subject matter. In the late 19th century European artists were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, ceramics, laquerware, etc. Art Nouveau in France and the Arts & Crafts Movement in England were very strongly influenced by Japanese art. The Impressionists like Monet especially prized Japanese art. Another example I could site is that Picasso and Matisse were influenced by African masks. But this was true only in a visual sense. They were not interested in the function of the masks. I hope that this has been a help to you.

Answer 2

They didn't understand it, they propagated it. Picasso didn't invent abstractism, the aboriginals always used it. African artists carved abstract art long before it became tourist trade. Native Americans used kinitic art in their headdresses long before american artist made mobiles. Art historians typically judged non western art as primitive, using their own standards to analyse it. Art can't be analysed from one's own culture unless it is your own culture(who understands the art of their own culture)? The rough horse hair in an African mask is questioned on technique, historians thinking this is not a elite technique. To understand the art of someone else's culture you must leave your cultural standards behind and become one with the universe or with the other culture. This is some thing the anthropologist may better understand. It is scary for some to suspend their own culture. I can say, it is easier if you already have affirmation of your own culture. I am impressed by Natalia Goncharova, the Russian artist who left Russia just before the day of revolution; out spoken she named this issue and resolved like a feminist or multiculturalist during her stay in western europe.

Answer 3

it only came thur what someone said and how they felt about the art work you can say its going to rain and if you can get enough people to belive its going to rain then you have created what you want other people to belive