Chinese Influence on European Art and Architecture

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Every continent has its own unique features that can be seen through the art and architecture of its nations. In the modern age, it’s easier for nations to share their culture with the rest of the world because of the Internet. For example, bettors from the European continent can check out 最新888亚洲推荐人代码 and see what are the most popular betting trends in Asia. Or people living in Asia can learn more about the popular music in the USA and pick up some of their trends. But before the Internet was invented, it took years, even centuries until a certain trend from one continent was transferred and adopted by others. This is how for centuries Chinese culture impacted the one that existed in Europe. 

This is how Chinoiserie was made. Chinoiserie is an imitation of Chinese and Asian art in various forms.

Brief History 

Chinese art entered the European scene in the 17th while the popularity of this style peaked in the middle of the 18th century. In this era, it was associated with the rococo style, and it had a great influence on the works of Thomas Chippendale, François Boucher, and Jean-Baptist Pillement.

The Chinese style was first brought to Europe when traders from France and England brought various decorative items from the Asian continent. Moreover, the Chinoiserie was once again popular in Europe in the mid 19th century all through the 1920s. It’s also important to mention that the Chinese style also influenced other parts of the world like Japan, Persia, Latin America, and India.

How Art Travelled 

The first piece of art that traveled from Asia to Europe was ceramics. These were truly valuable artistic pieces that were in most cases decorated with pictures of mountains. As time went by, and the Chinese style became more accepted by the Europeans, painted vases and other pieces of ceramics became more and more popular. This is why many sculptors at the time used this style as an inspiration for their future work.

Then came the paintings. But these were not the traditional paintings that Europeans were used to. Chinese paintings were done on silk or on paper, and they were extremely limited in numbers. But, this trend was short-lived, so it had practically no influence on the European painters of the time. 

Architecture

When it comes to architecture, the Chinese style came some time after the ceramics and the paintings, and what is more, it wasn’t well understood. There were many architects that were ready to use this style, but with caution, since the aesthetics of some buildings wouldn’t benefit from this style of architecture in any way. However, the Chinese style of architecture did find its way in many European gardens, because no one can deny that they have an air of peace and art combined. 

Moreover, many German and Russian palaces of the 19th century had wallpapers with distinctive Chinese motives as well as folding screens that were used for changing clothes that were clearly designed in the Chinoiserie style.

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