What artistic movement were Japanese woodblock prints known to influence?

Japanese woodblock prints, known as ukiyo-e, significantly influenced the Impressionist movement in Europe during the late 19th century. Artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Vincent van Gogh were particularly inspired by the aesthetics of these prints, which emphasized qualities like bold colors, flat areas of composition, and unconventional perspectives.

The influence is evident in the way Impressionist artists broke traditional rules of perspective and embraced compositions that brought a sense of immediacy and spontaneity, akin to the engagement found in ukiyo-e prints. The use of unusual viewpoints and the depiction of everyday life in these prints resonated strongly with the ethos of Impressionism, which sought to capture fleeting moments and the effects of light and color in the natural world.

Moreover, the introduction of Japanese prints to the Western art world coincided with a period of experimentation among artists who were looking to break free from academic restrictions. This led to a blending of styles and techniques, enriching the overall visual language of the Impressionist movement.