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Art Nouveau (literally ‘new art’ in French) was a popular international style of art, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and reaching its peak between 1890 and 1910. The primary aim of this movement was to break free from the previous constraints that had been placed upon artists traditionally and to completely revolutionise design – an aim that, without a doubt, came to be achieved. The evidence of this can be seen in the work of several prominent designers at the time – such as artist Alphonse Mucha and architect Antoni Gaudi – and even within other movements – the Arts and Crafts movement being a prime example. The way in which these figures and this movement have been influenced by Art Nouveau in particular will be explored in this essay.
Art Nouveau is considered to be a ‘total’ art style, as it encompasses and can be applied to all areas of art, including architecture, interior design, the decorative arts and the fine arts. Art nouveau pieces are quite avant-garde in appearance, using irregular shapes, intricate designs and stained glass windows to stand out from the fixed historical style that was, at the time, considered to be the norm. The style is also characterised largely by its unique combination of line, subject matter and material. Line is, more often than not, seen to be elongated, graceful and sinuous, with angular lines being seldom used. Another often-used type of line is the ‘whiplash’ curve, which changes direction quite violently. Much of the designs used in Art Nouveau architecture are also inspired by nature – vines, leaves, grass, flowers, and any other organic images. In fact, much of the flowing lines featured are used with the purpose of imitating the natural flowing lines found in na...
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...ional styles and instead used new and organic forms which emphasized humanity’s connection to nature. It was thus very heavily influenced by the Art Nouveau style that was widely gaining popularity at the time. The resulting combination of these two prominent movements served to revolutionise interior design for the better, as it saw a gradual increase in the quality and creativity of the decorative arts.
From these case studies, it becomes evident that Art Nouveau was perhaps the biggest influence on art and design in the late 19th century. Although the movement was later replaced by 20th century Modernist styles, it is nonetheless recognised today as an important stepping stone between the fixed traditional art style of the time and the later Modernist approach to art, opening up new pathways and endless possibilities for artists, architects and designers alike.
During the late sixteenth century a new style of art, known as Mannerist, emerged through out Italy as a result of the Protestant Reformation. Mannerist distorted art was justified because it served mid way between the ideal, natural, symmetrical and the real, artificial, and unbalanced. The religious and political upheaval lead to the distinct Mannerist style know for being stylish, cultured, and elegant. Mannerist art is thought provoking, asking the viewer to ponder and respond to the spatial challenges and meaning found in the painting, sculpture, and architectural work. Mannerist painting and sculpture are characterized by complicated compositions, distorted figure styles, and complex allegorical interpretations. Meanwhile Mannerist architecture often employs classical elements in a new and unusual way that defies traditional formulas.
The 18th century is well known for its complex artistic movements such as Romantism and Neo-classical. The leading style Rococo thrived from 1700-1775 and was originated from the French words rocaille and coquille which meant “rock” and “shell”; used to decorate the Baroque gardens1. Identified as the age of “Enlightenment”, philosophers would ignite their ideas into political movements1. Associated with this movement is England’s John Locke who advanced the concept of “empiricism”. This denotes that accepting knowledge of matters of fact descends from experience and personal involvement1. Locke’s concept assisted the improvements of microscopes and telescopes allowing art students in the French academy to observe real life1. Science and experience influenced painting more so in Neo-Classicalism. Locke fought for people’s rights and the power or “contract” between the ruler and the ruled. Reasoning that “the Light in Enlightenment referred to the primacy of reason and intellect…and a belief in progress and in the human ability to control nature”1. Hence, the commence of experimental paintings such as Joseph Wright’s (1734-1797) oil on canvas painting: Fig.1 An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump. This image was developed through science by placing a bird in glass container and pumping air to see the effects it would have on the bird (White cockatoo)1. Throughout the late 18th and early 19th century in Western Europe, Neo-Classical art became the “true Style” and was accepted by the French Revolution under Louis XIV. Neo-Classical art was a reaction to Rococo’s light hearted, humour and emotion filled pieces.
In the 1940s, much was changing in the world due to the effects of World War II, specifically in the parts of Europe. Suffused with dictators and totalitarian governments the artists of the era wanted to escape the environment and embark upon a new journey and a fresh start. America during that time was a capitalist with a culturally and ethnically rich background in music, films and fashion. This was the best opportunity for the artists to visit America. Thus a group of artists with their modernistic approach, went to New York City and started a new wave known as the “The New York School”. To come up with originality, the American designers inspired by the European Avante Grante/Modernistic art, added new techniques and concepts which created a complete new direction in art and design that shifted the world’s attention.
Interior Decorators such as Elsie de Wolfe, Eleanor McMillen Brown, and Dorothy Draper helped to pave the way for the Interior Design profession today. Their influential decisions to stray away from the Victorian style of design helped guide both the interior decorating profession, as well as architects who no longer wanted to design in the bulky and cluttered Victorian Style. Elsie de Wolfe designed during the Victorian movement, however “had adopted the 1890’s preference for Neoclassicism” (Smith, 22). Unlike the cluttered and dark interiors of an average Victorian interior, her interiors were, “in the words of one visitor, ‘[models] of simplicity’” (Smith, 20).
Before Impressionism came to be a major movement (around 1870-1800s), Neoclassical and Romanticism were still making their impacts. Remembering last week’s lesson, we know that both those styles were different in the fact that one was based on emotion, while the other was practical and serious. However, one thing they both shared was the fact that the artists were trying to get a message across; mostly having to do with the effects of the French Revolution, and/or being ordered to do so. With Impressionism, there is a clear difference from its predecessors.
‘Florated madness, liniar hysteria, strange decoratve disease, stylistic free-for-all’, such were the terms its contemporaries used to describe Art Nouveau, the first international design style. Art Nouveau was the rebellion against the entire Victorian sensibility, steeped as it was in the past. The exponents of the style hoped to revolutionize every aspect of design in order to set a standard that would be compatible with the new age. Art Nouveau was a direct descendant of the Arts and Crafts movement and influenced by celtic ornament as well as Japanese woodcut prints, all this resulted in an international style based on decoration.
It was the Swing era of jazz music, big bands, and flappers, as well as the birth of the silent movie and silver screen charm where celebrities reveled in lavish indulgence. As a result of the considerable reforms in social, personal and economical matters of post World War 1, expensive, hand crafted and formal Art Nouveau lost its support and was replaced with a new design concept of mass produced modernism. The jumbled floral patterns, pastel colors and the overly decorative curls and designs of Art Nouveau were cleared down to angular geometric shapes, uncomplicated, vivid and striking colors, crisp shapes and stylish, elegant characteristics of the new style Art
Arts and Crafts: This movement was similar to the Art Nouveau, although it began in Great Britain in the late 19th Century. In architecture, the style advocated a return to the Gothic architecture in order to restore the values missing in the industrialized world. “Perhaps nowhere else does art and architecture capture this vernacular and cultural landscape as perfectly as is the case in New Mexico.” (Cummings, 2001, p. 8)
The Arts and Crafts movement occurred during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Its aim was “to bring artists and craftsmen together.” The movement developed from the fear that art was being lost to the up and coming manufacturing field (“The Bauhaus”). However, Gropius knew manufacturing would be a big part of the future and promoted art that could be mass-produced by factories. In 1923, the school’s slogan be...
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, political discomfort had spread over France, and posters became the dominant aspect of visual philosophy in Paris. (MiR appraisal Inc. (2011) Father of the modern poster: Jules Cheret) Posters were an expression of economic, social and cultural life, competing for entertainment audiences and goods consumers (Jeremy Howard (1996), Art Nouveau: The myth, the modern and the national, Manchester University press, The Art poster From Graphic art to design 1890 to 1914). Furthermore, poster design was an outlet for the innovative energies of gifted artists (David Raizman (2003), History of Modern design, Art Nouveau and Cheret, Lawrence King, London, P.56). This was apparent because of the progression and transformation of technology, such as colour lithography.
Art Deco was a style that flourished throughout 1910 to around 1935. Known for its advancements in the art of advertising, the style had begun to prosper around the start of World War I (1914 – 1919), and had further developed to become a combination of various styles, as well as a rebellion against the concepts of Art Nouveau. Originally known to be referred to as the Art Moderne style, the name was changed only after the period had already passed its peak. The origin of the name involved the idea of decorative arts, hence the shortened name Art Deco, but previously the style had taken root within the time period of Modernism. Modernists sought to abstract the form and move away from the naturalistic curves found within the Art Nouveau period,
Art is all around us. The architectural design of buildings to the ornamentation of jewelry and art is in almost everything. To those who have little prior knowledge of certain architecture styles and or influences, a building can appear, as just a building and a piece of jewelry can appear as just that. With the idea that art is everywhere there are two art styles that have heavily influenced the architecture seen in todays communities, those being Art Deco and Bauhaus. These styles represent so much more than architecture, they represent a time period and a cultural and political reform. The purpose of this paper is that one will be able to understand
In conclusion, the art of the 19th century was composed of a sequence of competing artistic movements that sought to establish its superiority, ideologies and style within the artistic community of Europe. These movements, being Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, ultimately spread far beyond the confines of Europe and made modern art an international entity which can still be felt in today’s artistic world.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Art Nouveau style became an international movement. For the first time in decorative arts history there was a simultaneous movement throughout Europe and America. Art Nouveau brought the finest designers and craftsmen together in order to design buildings, furniture, wallpaper, fabrics, ceramics, metalwork and glasswork. Art Nouveau was considered more than a style, it was a philosophy. From this philosophy carefully designed articles for the home were designed intended to fit into the scheme of the whole Art Nouveau style. Line was the most important aspect of the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau was a rebellion against machine made articles of the 19th century that were copies of past designs. Art Nouveau was also a reaction against the old Victorian tradition. Art Nouveau designers borrowed from the past but because of the emphasis on line and adaptation of natural forms to design. Art Nouveau is easily distinguishable from any other period in decorative arts.
The further you go back in history, it can be seen how interior design has blended with artistic societies such as during the Italian Renaissance. It has