Japanese art, which had a huge influence on Degas, was constantly changing and evolving throughout history. In thhe 9th century, as the Japanese began to turn away from China’s religious art and develop other forms of expression, the secular arts became important. Until the late 15th century, both religious and secular arts flourished. After the political and economic disruption that Japan experienced, the art became more and more secular.
Painting was the preferred artistic expression in Japan, practiced by both amateurs and professionals. Until modern times, the Japanese wrote with a brush rather than a pen. This caused them to be very familiar with the brush techniques in their paintings.
Utamaro Kitagawa was a Japanese artist who is highly appreciated as the leading ukiyo-e artist of the late 18th century. He was born around 1750 and died around 1806. Little else is known about his life or parents. His work, however, had a major impact. It is estimated that he had over 2,000 prints. Beautiful women were a favorite subject of his and may have helped influence Degas’ obsession in painting women. However, Utamaro’s women are by no means natural. The forms were idealized and made to look unnaturally beautiful. This may have helped his prints to achieve the success that they did.