Final answer:
Late 19th Century Western artists were attracted to the alternative aesthetics of Japanese art, particularly after Japonisme became popular, as it provided a break from the Classical traditions of academic art and allowed for a more authentic expression of the modern world.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the late 19th century, Western artists were seeking new sources of inspiration and authenticity in their work. The opening of Japan to the world in 1854 and the subsequent Japanese influence, known as Japonisme, provided a fresh perspective for artists escaping the confines of traditional Western academic art. The Japanese art forms, such as woodblock prints by artists like Katsushika Hokusai, showcased qualities like linear perspective, which captivated Western artists. These qualities offered a different aesthetic from the prevailing Western norms.
Nihonga played a significant role as an art movement during the Meiji period. It represented the revival of traditional Japanese art values in response to the earlier Western influence. There was a reevaluation of traditional Japanese arts partly due to their popularity in international expositions. Nihonga resulted from a movement to return to native values in art, and it was seen as a source of national pride and international prestige.
The Royal Academy's insistence on art being reflective of the past made it increasingly difficult for young artists in the midst of a rapidly changing world. As a result, many artists were drawn to Japanese aesthetics not just as an alternative to the conservative views of academic art, but as a way to more authentically express the modern age in which they lived.