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How did African or Asian art influence European art in the past?

Wilhelm Sprackling

Throughout history, African and Asian art have had a profound impact on European art in a myriad of ways. From the visual motifs to the techniques employed, the influence of non-Western art on European artistic production is not only significant, but also enduring.

In the late 19th century, European artists, collectors, and art institutions began to take an interest in African and Asian art. However, the ways in which they engaged with these cultural artifacts was often dictated by their own cultural biases and prejudices. For instance, many of the objects that were collected were often seen as "primitive" and "uncivilized", and European artists often used these objects as a source of inspiration for their own works.

Perhaps the biggest way in which African and Asian art influenced European art was through the development of new stylistic techniques and forms. For instance, the Cubist movement, which emerged in the early 20th century, was heavily influenced by non-Western art. Cubist artworks were characterized by abstract shapes, geometric forms, and an emphasis on the flatness of the canvas. The origins of the Cubist technique could be traced back to the works of African artists, who had been producing similarly structured artworks for centuries.

Asian art also had a significant impact on European art, particularly in the 19th century, when there was a growing interest in Japonisme. Japonisme was a movement that was characterized by the incorporation of Japanese motifs, such as the use of decorative patterns and asymmetrical compositions, into European art. Artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet were heavily influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, and this influence can be seen in many of their works.

Additionally, African and Asian art also influenced the subject matter depicted in European art. For instance, European artists began to depict non-Western subjects in their artworks, such as religious sculptures, landscapes, and portraits. This was particularly evident during the colonial era, when European artists began to depict the people and landscapes of colonized territories.

In conclusion, African and Asian art have had a major impact on European art throughout history, influencing everything from the stylistic techniques to the subject matter depicted in artworks. While the influence of non-Western art was often mediated by cultural biases and prejudices, the impact of these artistic traditions on European art has endured to this day. As we move forward, it is important to continue to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African and Asian art to the world of art as a whole.