Antonio Fontanesi was an Italian painter who helped introduce European oil painting techniques to Japan during the Meiji period. He had a significant role in the modern Japanese 'yōga' style paintings. Basically in this 'yōga' style, even though Japanese subjects and themes are used, Western or more precisely European artistic conventions and techniques are used. Thus, mediums such as oil paints on canvas, water colours and pastels were used. Although later on, materials associated with Nihonga were utilised. Fontanesi's personal works are shaped by the French Barbizon school. He thus belonged to the Romantic movement of the time. Based on the name of the village of Barbizon, his artworks were realistic in character. Most of Fontanesi's works were landscape paintings and thus beautifully captured the tranquility of the serene environment. His artworks had soft forms and were done with loose brushstrokes. In his temporary stay in Japan, Fontanesi influenced the development of Japanese art and architecture. He introduced the techniques of charcoal, crayon and oil paints in Japan.
The "Young Girl standing by a stream" resolved around the sole figure of a woman tying her hair by a stream. Her reflection is vaguely visible in the water. A sunhat lays beside her. The scenery is decorated by foliage and forestry. Overall with loose brushstrokes, Fontanesi has successfully captured the intimacy of the moment.
The following painting, a soft watercolor depicting a young girl standing by a stream while arranging her hair, is a beautiful example of the introduction of water-based paint into the Western World, a type of medium which was commonly used by Eastern artists. Although the technique is pretty well-done, the composition and subject connect the watercolor to Western standards.
