Massimiliano Papini Receives Research Support Grant

Massimiliano Papini, doctoral student at Northumbria University, was awarded a Research Support Grant in 2023. Below Massimiliano details the research activities he was able to undertake as a result of the award:

Securing a Research Support Grant from the Paul Mellon Centre was a pivotal moment in my career as an independent scholar and early career researcher. This funding facilitated an in-depth exploration of late Victorian and Edwardian Japonisme within the peripheral regions of Britain, focusing specifically on the multifaceted works of John George Sowerby. Sowerby, a largely overlooked figure, was not only a painter but also a ceramic designer and children's book illustrator whose work spanned from 1880 to 1914. With a background in art history and a deep-seated interest in transcultural exchanges, particularly between Japan and Britain, my research aimed to unearth the subtle yet significant impacts of Japanese aesthetics on British art outside the metropolitan hubs.

Japonisme, the fascination with Japanese art and aesthetics, swept across Europe following Japan's opening to the West in the mid-nineteenth century. This phenomenon influenced various artistic disciplines, including painting, ceramics and illustration. While much of the scholarly attention has been devoted to major cities like London and Glasgow, my research sought to highlight the equally rich but lesser-known cultural interactions in Britain’s peripheral regions. John George Sowerby, who worked primarily in the Northeast of England and Essex, was a unique figure in this regard. His diverse artistic endeavours – ranging from managing the family-owned Ellison Glass Works to creating Japan-inspired ceramics and illustrating children's books – offered a fascinating case study of transmedial and transcultural exchanges.

The grant enabled me to undertake several crucial research activities, including archival research, museum visits and digital humanities methodologies. The project began with a comprehensive analysis of digital archives and historical newspapers to gather references to Sowerby's work and public reception.

In June 2023, I spent four days in London. Here I studied Sowerby's illustrated books housed in the British Library, comparing his work with that of contemporaries such as Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway. The analysis underscored Sowerby’s distinctive use of vibrant colours and asymmetrical compositions, hallmarks of Japanese art, in his children’s books. Additionally, visits to the National Art Library provided insights into Sowerby’s exhibition history, further contextualising his artistic trajectory.

Following the London research, I travelled to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I examined Sowerby's ceramic pieces at the Shipley Art Gallery. These artifacts, often directly inspired by Japanese prints, revealed a meticulous incorporation of Japanese motifs and styles, shedding light on how Sowerby viewed and adapted these elements for British consumers. Additionally, I explored the Tyne and Wear Archives to delve into the personal and professional life of Sowerby, utilising documents from the Githa Sowerby collection. This biographical exploration was crucial in contextualising his artistic choices within his familial and professional milieu.

The immediate outcome of this research was a presentation at the British Association for Victorian Studies (BAVS) annual conference in September 2023. This platform provided an opportunity to share my findings with fellow scholars and receive constructive feedback. During the conference, the chair of my panel approached me to ask if I was interested in publishing my research as an article in a journal special issue he will be editing, focused on transcultural exchanges in Victorian art.

Additionally, the support of the grant towards this project has served as a springboard for future research into the commodification and infantilisation of Japanese art in Victorian children’s literature – a topic that promises to deepen our understanding of the complexities of cultural exchange and appropriation.

In conclusion, the Paul Mellon Centre's support has not only facilitated a detailed exploration of John George Sowerby’s contributions to British art but also positioned this research within broader discussions about cultural identity, artistic appropriation and the global flows of artistic influence. The project has laid the groundwork for continued scholarly exploration into the nuanced interactions between British and Japanese art, promising to broaden the scope of Victorian art studies.