Impressionist Edgar Degas and Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. How did Degas and Gauguin borrow elements from the prints differently?

1.Both Degas and Gauguin used vibrant patterning, but Gauguin incorporated Japanese flat areas of color while Degas used expressive brushwork.

2.Both Degas and Gauguin created a Japanese asymmetric composition, but Degas focused on vertical lines while Gauguin focused on diagonals.

3.Both Degas and Gauguin used bold Japanese color, but Degas used small dabs while Gauguin mixed paint on the canvas.

4.Both Degas and Gauguin created a sense of space, but Degas employed dark and light values while Gauguin used color relationships.

Degas was significantly influenced by Ukiyo-e Japanese (woodblock) prints like many other Impressionists. The prints differed a lot from the traditional Western picture. They had bold linear designs and a sense of flatness.

As for Gauguin, Japanese art was one of many influences that impacted greatly on his artwork. He mostly searched and experimented throughout a very difficult life. The influence of Ukiyo-e on Gauguin makes perfectly natural sense as he was a searcher and traditional things couldn’t restrain his creativity.

Degas painted his dancers and people in the full round, while Gauguin didn't use modeling in his colors.