Japoniaiseries. Japanese fantasies in the time of Félicien Rops

This exhibition explores the profound impact of Japanese art, particularly ukiyo-e woodblock prints (mokuhanga), on the work of Félicien Rops and his contemporaries in the 19th century. The term “Japoniaiseries,” a blend of “Japon” and “niaiseries” (trifles), captures the whimsical and sometimes fantastical European interpretation of Japanese aesthetics during this period of intense cultural exchange.

Ukiyo-e’s Influence on European Art

The exhibition places Rops’s art in dialogue with authentic Japanese prints and objects from the Edo and Meiji periods. It highlights how the compositions, themes, and techniques of mokuhanga masters directly inspired and were reinterpreted by European artists like Ensor, Manet, and Rodin. This juxtaposition reveals the deep connection between 19th-century European art and the Japanese woodblock tradition.

Exhibition Details

The exhibition will be held at the Musée Félicien Rops, offering a unique opportunity to see the influence of Japanese art through the eyes of a prominent Belgian artist.