A chinoiserie print refers to a style of decorative art that was popular in Europe between the 17th and 19th centuries. Chinoiserie prints depicted fanciful, imaginative interpretations of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions. They were produced for European markets eager for exotic depictions of the Far East.
Chinoiserie prints featured pagodas, Chinese figures wearing traditional dress, landscapes, and decorative motifs inspired by Asian art. The prints evoked an imaginary China, rather than accurately portraying Chinese culture. Chinoiserie remained popular across Europe for over 200 years, influencing the decorative arts from the Baroque period through the Rococo and Neoclassical eras.
History and Origins
Chinoiserie as an artistic style first emerged in the 17th century, as imports from China and Japan exposed Europeans to unique Asian decorative arts and motifs. Chinese porcelain and lacquerware depicted exotic scenes of figures, plants, and architecture. These imports sparked European interest in reproducing Chinese artistic styles.
However, Europeans had limited understanding of actual Chinese culture and art. Chinoiserie prints instead presented fanciful interpretations of Chinese motifs for European tastes. These imaginative chinoiserie creations evoked the allure of a faraway, exotic China.
As trade increased between Europe and China in the 17th century, chinoiserie gained popularity through goods imported by the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company. Chinese scroll paintings, folding screens, and porcelains inspired European artisans to incorporate Asian motifs.
Style and Iconography
Chinoiserie prints are distinguished by their fanciful, whimsicaldepictions of an imaginary China. Though loosely inspired by Chinese art and motifs, chinoiserie creations did not attempt to authentically reproduce Chinese styles. Instead, European artisans would freely reinterpret Chinese artistic traditions.
Common motifs found in chinoiserie prints include:
- Pagodas – Multi-tiered towers depicted with sweeping curved roofs.
- Chinese figures – Men and women dressed in robes and conical hats associated with Qing dynasty styles.
- Landscapes – Pastoral garden scenes and countrysides dotted with pagodas.
- Decorative motifs – Whimsical interpretations of Chinese flowers, scrolling plants, dragons, phoenixes, and mythical creatures.
- Lattice and fretwork patterns – Geometric openwork designs based on Chinese decorative patterning.
Chinoiserie prints utilized bright colors and playful motifs to capture a sense of wonder and opulence. The prints often incorporated asymmetry, curvilinear shapes, and ornate detailing. Flowers, birds, and nature motifs referenced the Chinese love of gardens and nature.
By the 18th century Rococo period, chinoiserie prints became even more elaborate and fanciful. Exotic scenes overwhelmed entire rooms through wall panels, folding screens, and lacquered furniture. Chinoiserie’s lighthearted whimsy aligned with Rococo frivolity.
Usage in Decorative Arts
Chinoiserie prints adorned a wide range of decorative arts across Europe. Here are some examples of how chinoiserie prints were incorporated:
| Medium | Examples |
|---|---|
| Porcelain | Chinoiserie scenes painted on vases, plates, and figurines. |
| Furniture | Lacquered cabinets, desks, and tea tables depicting Chinese-inspired scenes. |
| Wallpaper | Patterned chinoiserie wallpaper printed using woodblock techniques. |
| Folding Screens | Multi-panel folding screens bore elaborate chinoiserie paintings. |
| Textiles | Chinoiserie motifs printed on silks for fashionable clothing and upholstery. |
Chinoiserie stretched across mediums from the fine arts to fashion and interior design. Painters like Francois Boucher produced chinoiserie works for royal patrons. Fashionable ladies wore chinoiserie silks, while aristocratic homes decorated their drawing rooms with chinoiserie folding screens and porcelain.
Architects even incorporated chinoiserie into the design of pavilions, gardens, and follies, constructing fanciful multi-tiered pagodas and teahouses. This reflects chinoiserie’s broad influence throughout the Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical periods.
Notable Chinoiserie Artists and Styles
While no single artist defined the chinoiserie style, certain painters and artisans came to prominence for their imaginative chinoiserie works:
Jean-Baptiste Pillement – Pillement was a French painter renowned for his fanciful chinoiserie landscapes and pastoral scenes. His works featured curved bridges, pagodas, and Chinese-style figures at leisure in idyllic nature settings.
Thomas Chippendale – The celebrated English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale frequently incorporated chinoiserie motifs in his furniture designs. Intricately carved chinoiserie cabinets and tea tables remain highly prized today.
François Boucher – Boucher was a French Rococo painter who produced many works in the chinoiserie style for King Louis XV and his mistress Madame de Pompadour. His works depict lavish fantasies blending Chinese motifs with Rococo styles.
William Chambers – As a British architect, Chambers designed chinoiserie gardens and pagodas, such as the Chinese House at Kew Gardens. His patterns books distributed chinoiserie motifs across Europe.
Chinese House at Drottningholm – This 18th century pavilion in Sweden represents a pinnacle of European chinoiserie. The exotic building incorporates dragons, phoenixes, and curving Chinese-style roofs nestled within a European formal garden.
While the above examples represent influential contributions, chinoiserie extended far beyond major artists. Chinoiserie proved hugely popular for artisans decorating porcelain, crafting furniture, and printing textiles for public consumption.
Decline and Legacy
By the late 18th century, chinoiserie’s popularity began to fade as Neoclassical tastes arose. Neoclassicism favored ancient Greek and Roman designs rather than the fanciful motifs of chinoiserie. As Chinese and Asian styles became more accurately known, chinoiserie seemed outdated and whimsical.
However, chinoiserie left a lasting impact on European decorative arts. The style helped inspire Rococo whimsy and interest in exotic locales. Traces of chinoiserie can be seen in 19th century japonisme, fascination with Japanese artistic traditions. To this day, references to chinoiserie’s fanciful pagodas and landscapes appear in whimsical designs.
Chinoiserie prints and their playful re-imagining of China remain powerful testaments to European cross-cultural exchange and curiosity for the Far East. The prints provide imaginative windows into China, real and imagined. Their lasting grace and charm continue to inspire decorative arts, fashion, and design.
Conclusion
In summary, chinoiserie refers to a style of European decorative art that depicted fanciful, imaginary interpretations of Chinese art and culture. Emerging in the 17th century, chinoiserie featured pagodas, Chinese figures, and decorative motifs inspired by imports from China and Japan.
Chinoiserie prints and artworks proved widely popular across Europe from the late Baroque through Rococo and Neoclassical periods. The style spread across mediums from porcelain to furniture, appealing to elite and common audiences alike. While not authentically Chinese, chinoiserie captured a European fantasy of the exotic East. The style’s cross-cultural influences and whimsical creativity leave a lasting legacy on the decorative arts.
