Vincent van Gogh was deeply obsessed with Japanese art, specifically 'ukiyo-e' woodblock prints. When Japan opened its borders in the mid-19th century, these prints flooded Europe, and Van Gogh became an avid collector. He was fascinated by the bold use of color, the lack of traditional perspective, and the emphasis on flat areas of unmixed pigment. This influence, known as 'Japonisme,' radically changed his painting style. He began to use thick black outlines around objects and bright, non-naturalistic colors. He even made direct copies of prints by Hiroshige, such as 'The Bridge in the Rain.' Van Gogh once wrote to his brother Theo, 'All my work is based to some extent on Japanese art.' This cross-cultural exchange was a key factor in the development of Post-Impressionism, as European artists realized they could express emotion through color and composition rather than just trying to replicate the physical world accurately.