Exoticism - The History Exoticism is a genre in art and designing, including architecture, which derives its inspiration from the art styles of some ethnic sects and native races.
Certain vestiges prove that this concept dates back to 17th century or earlier, in the European region.
Since, ancient times, various travelers from Europe went out to explore the other parts of the world.
As a result, the aboriginality of areas, such as Asia & Australia, came into fore and generated a lot of curiosity in the flora & fauna, people, customs, natural resources, and general life in these regions.
The influence of Eastern elements can be noticed in the Medieval and Italian Renaissance paintings.
In those times, Venice was Italian trading centre, which also became its window to the Eastern world, opening up the channels for artistic interaction.
Some Tuscan Renaissance canvases carried the influence of the Mongolian art of the Yiian era (1279-1368).
Various frescos, drawings, and paintings featured human figures of Arabian, Turk, Moor, and other origins.
The Exoticism movement was very active and widespread, in Britain, in the late nineteenth century onwards.
The rise of Exoticism coincided with the extensive colonization of the different parts of the world by Britain.
Eventually, the contrast between the two worlds became a popular theme in Exoticism.
These forms of art served to mask the British excesses in its colonies by diverting the public focus towards the appreciation of their uniqueness.
'Portrayal of Cannibals' and 'Portrayal of Chinese' at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, London, held in 1851, aptly delineates the interest in such variation.
The Artworks and the Artists For long, the British and French were fascinated with nude non-white bodies, such that various living aboriginals or their dead bodies were put to public display for several years in a row.
These exhibitions were aimed at highlighting the physical makeup of the enslaved civilizations, which were considered more erotic.
One such infamous specter was captured in 'Hottentot Venus,' featuring a South African Khosian Saarjite Baartman, whose enlarged hips remained a great attraction for over five years.
Elsewhere in Europe, French painter Paul Gauguin's (1848-1903) highly acclaimed piece, 'Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?' (1897-98) is a classic work in Exoticism, featuring native Tahitian people in symbolic poses.
His another such work, 'Tahitian Women on the Beach' was created in the year 1891.
Gauguin also painted many landscape frames in Tahiti, the simplicity and naturalness of which caught his fancy!
Certain vestiges prove that this concept dates back to 17th century or earlier, in the European region.
Since, ancient times, various travelers from Europe went out to explore the other parts of the world.
As a result, the aboriginality of areas, such as Asia & Australia, came into fore and generated a lot of curiosity in the flora & fauna, people, customs, natural resources, and general life in these regions.
The influence of Eastern elements can be noticed in the Medieval and Italian Renaissance paintings.
In those times, Venice was Italian trading centre, which also became its window to the Eastern world, opening up the channels for artistic interaction.
Some Tuscan Renaissance canvases carried the influence of the Mongolian art of the Yiian era (1279-1368).
Various frescos, drawings, and paintings featured human figures of Arabian, Turk, Moor, and other origins.
The Exoticism movement was very active and widespread, in Britain, in the late nineteenth century onwards.
The rise of Exoticism coincided with the extensive colonization of the different parts of the world by Britain.
Eventually, the contrast between the two worlds became a popular theme in Exoticism.
These forms of art served to mask the British excesses in its colonies by diverting the public focus towards the appreciation of their uniqueness.
'Portrayal of Cannibals' and 'Portrayal of Chinese' at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, London, held in 1851, aptly delineates the interest in such variation.
The Artworks and the Artists For long, the British and French were fascinated with nude non-white bodies, such that various living aboriginals or their dead bodies were put to public display for several years in a row.
These exhibitions were aimed at highlighting the physical makeup of the enslaved civilizations, which were considered more erotic.
One such infamous specter was captured in 'Hottentot Venus,' featuring a South African Khosian Saarjite Baartman, whose enlarged hips remained a great attraction for over five years.
Elsewhere in Europe, French painter Paul Gauguin's (1848-1903) highly acclaimed piece, 'Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?' (1897-98) is a classic work in Exoticism, featuring native Tahitian people in symbolic poses.
His another such work, 'Tahitian Women on the Beach' was created in the year 1891.
Gauguin also painted many landscape frames in Tahiti, the simplicity and naturalness of which caught his fancy!