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Fauves Shock -France and Japan

September 21 [Sat.]-December 15 [Sun.]. 2024

Raoul Dufy, "Yellow Console", c.1949, Otani Collection

At the beginning of the 20th century, a series of innovative artistic movements took place in Europe. To gain particular attention were works by Henri Matisse and other artists exhibited at the Salon d'Automne in 1905: the style of their paintings, marked by vivid colours and bold brushstrokes, led them to be labelled as Fauvist, igniting the interest of the art community. However, the painting movement that shocked Paris' art world came to an end around 1908, and its most representative artists went on to develop their own style. On the other hand, Fauvism spread across the seas reaching Japan's shores, where its influence can be seen in the work of painters who were affiliated with the Fusain Society, the 1930-nen Kyokai (1930 Association) and the Dokuritsu Art Association. While Western-style painting was on the verge to reach its full maturity, Japanese painters also sought independence from existing art organisations, as well as from Western art, and stepped into a new artistic era that brought along movements such as the Japanese Fauvism or Japanese-style oil painting. In collaboration with Japan's museums and collectors, this exhibition wishes to explore the art scene of the first half of the 20th century presenting works by French and Japanese painters with a special focus on the development of Fauvism.