This paper explains the theme of graduation thesis, the style of Japanese painting nihonga and its development. The expression “nihonga” means Japanese painting, but it was first used in Meiji era (1868-1912) to distinguish between wester influenced painting and Japanese style painting. One could say that the nihonga style developed as a response to Western style painting and the transformation of Japanese society during Meiji period. However the nihonga painting style was not an isolated example of the response of the Japanese art to the arrival of foreign influences on Japanese territory. In this thesis I want to present the origin of the painting style of nihonga style, the need for its separation from Western painting and how today’s artists of nihonga style work. I will first present the development of Japanese painting and the historical background of the Meiji era. I will also present the differences between the painting styles of nihonga and yōga, and present the work of one of today’s Japanese artists in the style of nihonga – Matsui Fuyuko. Since the Meiji period, the style of nihonga has changed and, according to Japanese painter Matsui Fuyuko, continues to change. The artist does use some elements of the Wester Art, even if she does so unconsciously, but this cannot be said for other contemporary nihonga style artists.
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