The Rimpa School in Paris

From 26 October to 27 January 2019, the Cernuschi museum is to pay homage to the Rimpa decorative arts movements with the exhibition Treasures of Tokyo, three centuries of Rimpa creations.

Still relatively unknown within art history canons, the Rimpa style was born of one of the major schools of Japanese paintings. Having emerged during the 17th century in Kyoto, the former capital and cultural centre of Japan, the Rimpa movement was active across the centuries.

Renowned for its finesse, the movement is defined by its spirituality and its unique aesthetic where pared-down forms are complemented by lively colours. Artists drew inspiration from nature, literature as well as classical theatre.

Presenting painted scrolls, illustrated books, ceramics and lacquered objects, the exhibition hopes to highlight the diversity of the Rimpa period. Visitors will find among the masterpieces on show works such as Fujin Raijin-zu byobu classed as a National Treasure in Japan and exhibited in Europe for the first time.