抄録
This paper aims to propose a global art history narrative of the short-lived Akita Ranga school, the first Western-influenced painting school formed in 18th century Japan. The Ranga (Dutch-style painting) is considered a by-product of Rangaku (Dutch learning), then flourishing through the mediation of the Dutch Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), that facilitated a global diffusion of natural sciences, accompanied by a rich array of travelling images. By resituating each artwork of the school into a broader context of global history, with relevant image sources in time and space, from 16th century anatomy images in allegorical poses, perspective images related to the Chambord castle’s double spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci, in France, to the mythological motifs for the Marble Gallery of the Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, to herbal images of Shinobazu pond, Japan, the paper attempts to show the international dimensions of Akita Ranga and examining how Akita Ranga’s history of travelling images comes full circle with their eventual return to 19th century Europe.
