Gallery #2

BUDDHIST INFLUENCE ON EARLIER EUROPEANS

When did Western artists become interested in Buddhism? During the 1880s and ‘90s. Among the first were van Gogh who loved Japan deeply and painted himself as a Buddhist priest, Gauguin who painted a work called “Nirvana” which he hoped to reach but never did, and Redon whose work included “I am a Buddha.”

The digital prints in this gallery are reproductions of their work. Zen Buddhism was not yet known in the West.

Modern artists later learned about the unique qualities of Zen art, especially during the 1930s, ‘40s, & ‘50s. The influence on Western art of Zen art and Zen thought was and still is considerable.