Research Symposium

BIO

Alyssa Daan is a Florida State University student with a strong interest in arts, culture, and campus life. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing alongside a Bachelors of Arts in Art History. Alyssa is a programming intern at Club Downunder, a student-run on-campus venue. Here she works events, shadowing staff members, and plans events curated for the student body at FSU. She is a Staff Writer at Her Campus, the largest digital magazine run by college girls, at the Florida State University chapter. She is a gallery assistant intern at LeMoyne Arts in Tallahassee, gaining skills in the arts, arts administration, marketing and PR, and event programming. She is also an office assistant at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, where she is responsible for the front desk, guiding tours, and assist in exhibit installation.

The Art of Exchange: Japanese Influence in European Postcards The Art of Exchange: Japanese Influence in European Postcards

Abstract

In my research, I explore the exchange and transformation of art styles between Europe and Japan (1850–1910) and question if this exchange can be observed through postcards as a medium. These Japanese woodblock prints influenced the Western movement known as Japonisme, contributing to the development of Art Nouveau, recognized for its flowing lines and floral motifs. Over time, Western adaptations of Japanese aesthetics returned to Japan, where they were reinterpreted within their own artistic traditions. To examine this cycle of exchange, I acquired six late nineteenth century postcards from EBay originating from Japan, Europe, and the United States and analyzed them. Using a formal visual analysis, I evaluated each postcard’s subject matter, composition, color and decorative elements. The cards were arranged chronologically to trace the stylistic changes related to Japonisme and Art Nouveau.
The findings reveal a pattern of cross cultural influence. Earlier European postcards show details of impressionist art and romanticized female figures within decorative frames, later examples become flatter and two dimensional with bolder outlines resembling Japanese prints. Floral motifs and framing become more pronounced. Japanese postcards, especially those produced around the Russo Japanese War, adopt Art Nouveau framing and enhanced detail in the emphasis of natural imagery such as flowers. Eventually moving more toward bold color and reduced outlines, as the style transitions to Art Deco. Overall, the results show that postcards served as everyday materials where artistic ideas circulated, transformed, and returned in new forms that can be looked at more purposefully in future research.

Keywords: Art History, Postcards, Art Nouveau, Europe, Japan