Van Gogh's Japanese Prints

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Cranes and Cherry Blossoms
from the series - Illustrations of Plants, Trees, Flowers and Birds
Togaku (1875-1900)

“All my work is based to some extent on Japanese art . . .”
- Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo, from Arles, 15 July 1888

In 1859 the hidden world of Japan opened up to overseas trade, bringing a new vision in design and art to the west and greatly influencing many artists such as Monet and Degas. Vincent van Gogh became an enthusiastic collector of Japanese woodblock prints finding inspiration within them that markedly impacted his vision and painting.

The first events showcasing Japanese goods and art were the World Fairs in London in 1862 and in Paris in 1867. Along with his brother Theo, Vincent collected over 600 of the prints, papering their Paris apartment walls with them and organizing an exhibition of them at the café-restaurant of…