Following the Trade Route... To Glasgow
By Madina Burkhanova
The intercontinental movement and influence of art; a fascinating dimension of art history that Scotland is not exempt from. The 19th century was a densely packed period of time in the world of art, with genres such as impressionism and romanticism gaining traction. However, this period of time was also distinct because of the global spread of Japanese influence. History has seen the development of the byobu to the biombo; Japanese folding screens used to denote rank being developed into screens for decoration made with local materials in Mexico. Similarly, Van Gogh drew inspiration from the ukiyo-e style of Japan (think The Great Wave off Kanagawa), a series of works that can now be seen in his own portfolio of Japanese-inspired prints. Whether because of the Manila Galleon Trade, the movement of the Silk Road, or an artist’s own travels, the influence of Asian art has historically and consistently found its way to the Western World.
Unknown, Conquest of Mexico and View of Mexico City, late 17th century, oil and canvas with textile.
Towards the end of the 19th century in Scotland, Japanese inspiration took prevalence in both art and architecture in conjunction with the rise of the Glasgow style. The Glasgow style, and consequently The Glasgow School, are umbrella labels used to describe the converging group of artists that gained propulsion as reputable artists of their time. The interspersing of Japanese art in their work can be attributed to trade connections between Scotland and Japan, but also the spirit of adventure that was so rife in literature in the late 19th century.
One such artist, and one half of a couple, in the Glasgow School was Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, an English designer who lived in Scotland. One of her most famous works is an untitled set of embroidered panels; they are intercontinental even in their materials, with silk embroidery and ribbon intertwined with watercolour. In addition to the medium being inherently Japanese-inspired, the piece follows the conventions of fine lines and colour blocking that is reminiscent of Eastern Asian art. Because Mackintosh was also inspired by Gustav Klimt’s 1903 painting Golden Rider, the embroidered panels are a paramount example of the fusion between the Glasgow School’s style, Western-oriented art and Japanese influence. The piece, having been displayed in museums around Japan since 2012, is now being exhibited at the Glasgow School of Art.
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, Untitled, 1902-1904, embroidery and watercolour on silk and linen.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, husband of Margaret Macdonald, manifested Japanese influence through architecture. A collector of Japanese architectural books and prints, Mackintosh was focal in making Japonisme a fixture in Glasgow. He specifically drew influence from the simplicity of Japanese architecture and the use of natural materials, but ensured to meld this with elements of more regional Scottish architecture. Through the combined use of sharp angles and softer curves, Mackintosh became renowned throughout Europe for works such as the Glasgow School of Art and The Lighthouse. Below, one can see how the Lighthouse fuses together the fundamental use of roundness in the cylindrical form and the use of sharper edges in the concentric niches. Despite producing few completed architectural works before his retirement from the art form, Mackintosh’s impact as an artist of intercontinental unification is widespread in countries such as Austria, Hungary, and Russia.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, The Lighthouse (Centre for Design and Architecture), 1895.
Japan’s abandonment of its isolationist regime and newfound openness to the interest of other countries was a turning point for the country, but was also ultimately an impact felt worldwide. The Glasgow School, and Scotland as a whole, serve as a prime case in which one can appreciate the beauty in the fusion of art forms, and the marvel of the distance that such ideas and influences travel to become the pieces that we know and value today.
Bibliography
BestInfo, The Influence of Asian Artworks on Western Artists. BestInfoHub: 2022.
Bird, John. Mackintosh Influences – Japonisme, Minimalism and Scottish Baronial Style. WordPress: 2012.
The Glasgow School of Art. Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh Embroidered Panels Return From Japan. The Glasgow School of Art: 2022.
Glasgow Private Tours. Charles Rennie Mackintosh Architecture. Glasgow Tours: 2020.