Figurative ukiyo-e paintings in Japanese painting (1804-1912) and their effects on contemporary painting

Woodblock printing, which was transferred from China to Japan, was named "ukiyo-e" when Japan began to develop itself culturally, socially and economically during the Edo (Tokugawa) period. Ukiyo-e is one of the most well-known art forms of Japanese art. Ukiyo-e, which became a movement, attracted a lot of attention from European artists and was called 'Japonism'. Traces of these woodblock prints can be found in the works of artists such as Van Gogh, Gaugen, Monet, Manet and Klimt. Ukiyo-e prints greatly influenced the artists of the 19th century and observing how this influence continues today constitutes the subject of the research. Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to understand the evolution of Japanese Painting Art and to reveal in detail how Ukiyo-e has influenced the art of painting from past to present. Ukiyo-e is a type of art that gained popularity during the Edo period and attracts attention with its unique themes, color palette and aesthetic elements. However, the figurative elements of ukiyo-e, especially character designs and scenes of daily life, are the center of this research. The aim of the study is to show how the artistic heritage of Japanese culture lives on today and to explain how Japanese painting enriches today's understanding of art through figurative Ukiyo-e paintings. It also aims to understand the importance of Ukiyo-e in the artistic heritage of the past, and to show how this historical influence has had an impact on the practice of painting today.For this purpose, in the second part of the study, the political, social and cultural structure of Edo Period Japan is explained. Afterwards, the emergence and development of ukiyo-e was subjected to research. Then the subjects of ukiyo-e were mentioned. Under the title of technical and production process of ukiyo-e art, the use of colors and their technical features were examined. In the third part of the study, the importance of ukiyo-e in the history of illustration, ukiyo-e artists and their works between 1804 and 1912, and the influence of ukiyo-e art on the West were discussed in order to examine and evaluate the effect of ukiyo-e on today's painting. Then, the art of printing after ukiyo-e, the use of ukiyo-e today, and the contemporary period ukiyo-e artists and their works are presented. In the second part of the study, the political, social and cultural structure of Edo Period Japan is explained. Then, the emergence and development of ukiyo-e was subjected to research. Then the subjects of ukiyo-e were mentioned. Under the title of the technical and production process of ukiyo-e art, the use of colors and their technical features were examined. In the third part of the study, the importance of ukiyo-e in the history of illustration, ukiyo-e artists and their works between 1804 and 1912, and the influence of ukiyo-e art on the West were discussed in order to examine and evaluate the effect of ukiyo-e on today's painting. Then, the art of printing after ukiyo-e, the use of ukiyo-e today, and contemporary ukiyo-e artists and their works are presented. The research deals in detail with the process of adapting the figurative elements of Ukiyo-e to contemporary art. How is the influence of traditional Japanese art on contemporary pictorial expressions reflected in the works of modern artists? Seeking answers to these questions constitutes the main focus of the thesis. It aims to trace the key elements of Ukiyo-e - especially its figurative expressions, compositional conception and color palette - in contemporary pictorial language. At the same time, it makes an effort to understand the potential of this influence to enrich contemporary art practice. The research offers a new perspective on the history of art and contemporary art through a detailed examination of the pictorial evolution of Japanese culture