From Nouveau to Deco
A style that took over worldwide and was used for design on applied art, graphic work and illustration, of the time. This was art Nouveau, influenced mostly by styles such as post-Impressionism and symbolism, from which designers took aspects from the natural world.
Henry Van de Velde , Vignette, decorative kunst |||, 1898-1899
The forms of this desk, by Henry Van de Velde, are very flowing and in a natural kind of way. A combination of flat surfaces divided by flowing lines. It is proportionally balanced, being divided equally vertically. It is called the beans desk because of its kidney like shape. Art nouveau varied to all kinds of designs, even illustrations and prints. Such posters are recognized by, their fluid lines, repetitions, patterns and more.
Henry Van de Velde, Poster for the factory trop, 1897, Lithograph Poster
Laurel Lady, Alphonse Mucha, 1901
A painter and a decorative artist of art Nouveau is Alfons Mucha, he mostly portrayed images of women surrounded by nature. This portrait of ‘Laurel’ 1901 shows a lot of varied influences such as, Japonisme, the Byzantine mosaic patterns and post-Impressionism. There’s the cropping style of Japonisme, also the flatness and boldness of color. He gives balance to the painting using a contrast between cool and warm colors. Visual balance along the pattern of the leaves complementing the whole composition. Also the mosaic compliments the whole picture balancing the colors of the figure.
From Nouveau to Deco
A style that took over worldwide and was used for design on applied art, graphic work and illustration, of the time. This was art Nouveau, influenced mostly by styles such as post-Impressionism and symbolism, from which designers took aspects from the natural world.
|
Henry Van de Velde , Vignette, decorative kunst |||, 1898-1899
|
The forms of this desk, by Henry Van de Velde, are very flowing and in a natural kind of way. A combination of flat surfaces divided by flowing lines. It is proportionally balanced, being divided equally vertically. It is called the beans desk because of its kidney like shape. Art nouveau varied to all kinds of designs, even illustrations and prints. Such posters are recognized by, their fluid lines, repetitions, patterns and more.
|
Henry Van de Velde, Poster for the factory trop, 1897, Lithograph Poster
|
|
| Laurel Lady, Alphonse Mucha, 1901 |
 |
Documents decoratifs, Plate 38, 1902,
Alphonse Maria Mucha
|
Although his main composition was of females, you can observe some works that consist of floral patterns only. One such design is ‘Documents décoratifs. Plate 38. 1902’. It is geometrically balanced, using repetitive form of flower and leaves and also contrasting colors. He makes a frieze like design on top that splits the painting in thirds, using the golden ration and also the frieze itself. Using this ratio, it gives perfect balance to the composition of the picture. Use of complementary colors is also effective. This also shows an influence from Japanese art.
Desk, Sir Edward Maufe, London, 1925.
Museum no. Circ.898-1968.
Given by Prudence, Lady Maufe. ©
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
|
| Desk, Sir Edward Maufe, London, 1925. Museum no. Circ.898-1968. Given by Prudence, Lady Maufe. © Victoria & Albert Museum, London |
Art Deco followed art Nouveau, and just like art Nouveau, it affected all forms of fine arts, fashion design, product design, film and photography. This desk by Sir Edward Maufe, 1925, which is in the art Deco genre, shows a completely different approach to Van de Velde’s desk. It does not have the same flowing lines or same product functionality. It is more linear; more in a modern approach and silver finish other then the visible vein of wood. It is symmetrically balanced, with only a touch of decoration on the handles. This style is going to influence more modern styles which leads to our modern world of today.
Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . 2014. Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.szecessziosmagazin.com/magazin9/henryvandevelde150.php. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Art Deco: The 1925 Paris Exhibition - Victoria and Albert Museum. 2014. Art Deco: The 1925 Paris Exhibition - Victoria and Albert Museum. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/the-1925-paris-exhibition/. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2014. Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/artn/hd_artn.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Japonisme and the Revolution of the Machine
Agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and social culture were all going to see a huge change in the time of the industrial Revolution. With the invention of the steam engine, there was a huge increase in production, and in the manufacturing of more machines. It destroyed the craftsmanship skill, were machines did people’s job and people acted like machines. Mass production and industry dominated society. Apart from stealing away the skill of the craftsman, the revolution brought urban poverty and rise of the middle-class.
Dove and Rose, William Morris, 1879,
Silk and wool double cloth, 84 x 91.5 cm
William Morris (1834-1896) was one of the greatest designers and was against the machine and the fact that people were becoming robots. He was highly influenced by Japonisme and he was also in the ‘Arts & Crafts’ movement, which encouraged the skill of the craftsman and the beauty of handmade work. He made designs on textiles featuring nature like leaves, birds, flowers and more. One such example is ‘Dove and Rose’, designed in 1879. The background color is vibrant, with dark branches, green leaves, a patterned dove and an open rose, which are repeated several times. It is perfectly symmetrical and balanced. The green is a complimentary color to red so as you can see there’s even a balance with color.
Peacock and Dragon, William Morris, 1878,
Woven wool panel,264.5 x 241.5 cm
A different approach by Morris on textiles was the use of Islamic colors and eastern inspired designs. One such design is ‘Peacock and Dragon’, 1878, were just like ‘Dove and Rose’ it has the same repetition of patterning that gives symmetrical balance to the design. It is geometrically correct even the creatures have a mirroring effect. The colors are vivid, with the yellow standing out.
In 1853, Japanese had opened trade with the west and there they started opening pavilions in the World Fair to exhibit their oriental objects such as fans and kimonos and also silk, which were flooding in England and France. This was a huge inspiration for artists such as Claude Monet, James Tissot and Edgar Degas of the Impressionist era.
Japonisme also influenced William De Morgan; you can see it in his beautiful vase design collection, which in its form and color shows a reflection of Eastern art. Asymmetrical creatures, patterns and bold color with various patterns are presented in his vases. Even the form was not traditional. There is visual balance with repetition of forms and geometrical patterns.
This was a time when artists started exploring different methods and seeing new techniques and new approach to perception, which changed design and the way designers and artist think.
Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2014. Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/hd_jpon.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The Victorian Era | Graphic Design History. 2014. The Victorian Era | Graphic Design History. [ONLINE] Available at:http://visualartsdepartment.wordpress.com/the-victorian-era/. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The Original Morris & Co - Arts and crafts, fabrics and wallpaper designs by William Morris & Company | A Full History | British/UK Fabrics and Wallpapers. 2014. The Original Morris & Co - Arts and crafts, fabrics and wallpaper designs by William Morris & Company | A Full History | British/UK Fabrics and Wallpapers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.william-morris.co.uk/a-full-history/. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The neo-Gothic
The 19th century or the “picturesque”. It was an era of breakthroughs and innovations and the people lived through a huge revival of many historic styles. One of the styles, which were revived during that time, was the Gothic style. It is called Neo-Gothic.
House of Parliament, London
Britain saw through restorations of many churches and cathedrals and also newly designed neo-Gothic buildings. One such building is the House of Parliament in London called “The Palace of Westminster”. Sir Charles Barry, using perpendicular Gothic style designed it. It is symmetrically balanced and was built through a span of 28 years from 1840 to 1868. Seeing it from a distance across the water you can observe a horizontal split reflected on the water, which looks quite massive!
Another example of a neo-Gothic styled house is a huge and beautiful building called Strawberry Hill in London. Peter Essex designed interior and parts of the exterior of the house and it was built through a span of twenty-seven years. It was built and owned by Horace Walpole and he housed his treasures and collections in it. Its design is not symmetrical. Walpole was not interested in columns, symmetry or order but he still balanced the exterior and interiors well using classic Gothic arches, rose windows and carved screens.
Strawberry Hill House, London
Strawberry Hill House, London, Window pane
St. Patrick's Cathedral New York
A clear example of balance and perfect symmetry is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral situated in New York. New York has no buildings or structures designed in the neo-Gothic style so this cathedral stands out near it’s towering skyscrapers with their smooth surfaces and modern looks. It is symmetrical on the outside and even the interior is symmetrical. It has huge towering arches, stained glass windows and sculpted designs and patterns.
A return to church and restoration of faith from the less superstitious, reflecting the medieval Christian values.
Strawberry Hill House | Historic House | Twickenham|London. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3502290. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Houses of Parliament, London. 2014. Houses of Parliament, London. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/housesofparliament.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . 2014. New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . [ONLINE] Available at: http://nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID054.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Emile Galle
Emile Galle 1846-1904
Emile Galle' was a great manufacturer and his work made a great impression for art nouveau in the Paris Exposition in 1887. His studies when he was young were mostly on drawing and botany. You can see this reflected in his work. He worked in his father's factory, Nancy, were he manufactured glass vases and also design furniture. His main influence was in the Japanese art. His work features a free, asymmetrical naturalism in it.
He made different forms in glass vase designs and they all have a sense of stability and balanced well. The design on the vases are mostly floral patterns and although they are not perfectly symmetrical, Galle made asymmetrical designs. Some of the techniques he used were wheel cutting, acid etching and casing.
Tulip
Astrantia
He experimented with different forms, colour and pattern. You might say that the vases both left and right are balanced or symmetrical but the patterns are not. Although the patterns are not symmetrical they are still balanced properly on the glass. That is called asymmetry, where symmetry is absent. The patterns still has a sense of harmony and flowing movement. A horizontal type of balance can also be observed with the colour tone where the bottom is of a dark colour and the top part is of a bright colour.
Claire-de-lune
Transparent
Early types of experimentation and techniques led Galle to use transparency in the glass vases. This particular vase also has a different kind of shape but also symmetrical. You can also see a floral pattern on the vase which is asymmetrical. The colour of the vase is a soft honey. Galle also created a colour which he named claire-de-lune which is a transparent blue colour.
During the time working in his father's factory, Emile Galle also designed furniture. These pieces of furniture are very famous and desired by many. His study in botany is also reflected in these works which includes designs of leaves, flowers, vines and fruit.
Table' e' the'
These pieces of furniture are symmetrical by form but asymmetrical in its carvings and inlays. It is fascinating how he designed most of his work in emphasis to make corners and points finished with shapes of tree branches and stalks. The engravings were essentially floral in style. Apart from the inlays, Galle also had inlaid quotations in all of his designs from leading contemporary symbolist authors such as Paul Verlaine.
Emile Gallé (1846-1904). 2014. Emile Gallé (1846-1904). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.art-nouveau-around-the-world.org/en/artistes/galle.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . 2014. Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.szecessziosmagazin.com/magazin9/henryvandevelde150.php. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2014. Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/artn/hd_artn.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Japonisme and the Revolution of the Machine
Agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and social culture were all going to see a huge change in the time of the industrial Revolution. With the invention of the steam engine, there was a huge increase in production, and in the manufacturing of more machines. It destroyed the craftsmanship skill, were machines did people’s job and people acted like machines. Mass production and industry dominated society. Apart from stealing away the skill of the craftsman, the revolution brought urban poverty and rise of the middle-class.
|
Dove and Rose, William Morris, 1879,
Silk and wool double cloth, 84 x 91.5 cm
|
William Morris (1834-1896) was one of the greatest designers and was against the machine and the fact that people were becoming robots. He was highly influenced by Japonisme and he was also in the ‘Arts & Crafts’ movement, which encouraged the skill of the craftsman and the beauty of handmade work. He made designs on textiles featuring nature like leaves, birds, flowers and more. One such example is ‘Dove and Rose’, designed in 1879. The background color is vibrant, with dark branches, green leaves, a patterned dove and an open rose, which are repeated several times. It is perfectly symmetrical and balanced. The green is a complimentary color to red so as you can see there’s even a balance with color.
|
Peacock and Dragon, William Morris, 1878,
Woven wool panel,264.5 x 241.5 cm
|
A different approach by Morris on textiles was the use of Islamic colors and eastern inspired designs. One such design is ‘Peacock and Dragon’, 1878, were just like ‘Dove and Rose’ it has the same repetition of patterning that gives symmetrical balance to the design. It is geometrically correct even the creatures have a mirroring effect. The colors are vivid, with the yellow standing out.
In 1853, Japanese had opened trade with the west and there they started opening pavilions in the World Fair to exhibit their oriental objects such as fans and kimonos and also silk, which were flooding in England and France. This was a huge inspiration for artists such as Claude Monet, James Tissot and Edgar Degas of the Impressionist era.
Japonisme also influenced William De Morgan; you can see it in his beautiful vase design collection, which in its form and color shows a reflection of Eastern art. Asymmetrical creatures, patterns and bold color with various patterns are presented in his vases. Even the form was not traditional. There is visual balance with repetition of forms and geometrical patterns.
This was a time when artists started exploring different methods and seeing new techniques and new approach to perception, which changed design and the way designers and artist think.
Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2014. Japonisme | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/hd_jpon.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The Victorian Era | Graphic Design History. 2014. The Victorian Era | Graphic Design History. [ONLINE] Available at:http://visualartsdepartment.wordpress.com/the-victorian-era/. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The Original Morris & Co - Arts and crafts, fabrics and wallpaper designs by William Morris & Company | A Full History | British/UK Fabrics and Wallpapers. 2014. The Original Morris & Co - Arts and crafts, fabrics and wallpaper designs by William Morris & Company | A Full History | British/UK Fabrics and Wallpapers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.william-morris.co.uk/a-full-history/. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
The neo-Gothic
The 19th century or the “picturesque”. It was an era of breakthroughs and innovations and the people lived through a huge revival of many historic styles. One of the styles, which were revived during that time, was the Gothic style. It is called Neo-Gothic.
|
| House of Parliament, London |
Britain saw through restorations of many churches and cathedrals and also newly designed neo-Gothic buildings. One such building is the House of Parliament in London called “The Palace of Westminster”. Sir Charles Barry, using perpendicular Gothic style designed it. It is symmetrically balanced and was built through a span of 28 years from 1840 to 1868. Seeing it from a distance across the water you can observe a horizontal split reflected on the water, which looks quite massive!
Another example of a neo-Gothic styled house is a huge and beautiful building called Strawberry Hill in London. Peter Essex designed interior and parts of the exterior of the house and it was built through a span of twenty-seven years. It was built and owned by Horace Walpole and he housed his treasures and collections in it. Its design is not symmetrical. Walpole was not interested in columns, symmetry or order but he still balanced the exterior and interiors well using classic Gothic arches, rose windows and carved screens.
|
| Strawberry Hill House, London |
|
| Strawberry Hill House, London, Window pane |
|
| St. Patrick's Cathedral New York |
A clear example of balance and perfect symmetry is the St. Patrick’s Cathedral situated in New York. New York has no buildings or structures designed in the neo-Gothic style so this cathedral stands out near it’s towering skyscrapers with their smooth surfaces and modern looks. It is symmetrical on the outside and even the interior is symmetrical. It has huge towering arches, stained glass windows and sculpted designs and patterns.
A return to church and restoration of faith from the less superstitious, reflecting the medieval Christian values.
Strawberry Hill House | Historic House | Twickenham|London. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3502290. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Houses of Parliament, London. 2014. Houses of Parliament, London. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/housesofparliament.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . 2014. New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . [ONLINE] Available at: http://nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID054.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Strawberry Hill House | Historic House | Twickenham|London. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visitrichmond.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=3502290. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Houses of Parliament, London. 2014. Houses of Parliament, London. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/housesofparliament.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . 2014. New York Architecture Images- St. Patrick's Cathedral (RC) . [ONLINE] Available at: http://nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID054.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Emile Galle
|
| Emile Galle 1846-1904 |
Emile Galle' was a great manufacturer and his work made a great impression for art nouveau in the Paris Exposition in 1887. His studies when he was young were mostly on drawing and botany. You can see this reflected in his work. He worked in his father's factory, Nancy, were he manufactured glass vases and also design furniture. His main influence was in the Japanese art. His work features a free, asymmetrical naturalism in it.
He made different forms in glass vase designs and they all have a sense of stability and balanced well. The design on the vases are mostly floral patterns and although they are not perfectly symmetrical, Galle made asymmetrical designs. Some of the techniques he used were wheel cutting, acid etching and casing.
|
| Tulip |
|
| Astrantia |
He experimented with different forms, colour and pattern. You might say that the vases both left and right are balanced or symmetrical but the patterns are not. Although the patterns are not symmetrical they are still balanced properly on the glass. That is called asymmetry, where symmetry is absent. The patterns still has a sense of harmony and flowing movement. A horizontal type of balance can also be observed with the colour tone where the bottom is of a dark colour and the top part is of a bright colour.
|
| Claire-de-lune |
|
| Transparent |
Early types of experimentation and techniques led Galle to use transparency in the glass vases. This particular vase also has a different kind of shape but also symmetrical. You can also see a floral pattern on the vase which is asymmetrical. The colour of the vase is a soft honey. Galle also created a colour which he named claire-de-lune which is a transparent blue colour.
During the time working in his father's factory, Emile Galle also designed furniture. These pieces of furniture are very famous and desired by many. His study in botany is also reflected in these works which includes designs of leaves, flowers, vines and fruit.
|
| Table' e' the' |
These pieces of furniture are symmetrical by form but asymmetrical in its carvings and inlays. It is fascinating how he designed most of his work in emphasis to make corners and points finished with shapes of tree branches and stalks. The engravings were essentially floral in style. Apart from the inlays, Galle also had inlaid quotations in all of his designs from leading contemporary symbolist authors such as Paul Verlaine.
|
Emile Gallé (1846-1904). 2014. Emile Gallé (1846-1904). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.art-nouveau-around-the-world.org/en/artistes/galle.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].
Traditional Maltese Tiles
Traditional maltese tiles are often
presented with a symmetrical
perspective, and have a certain
organised balance. These tiles are
hand made using cement poured
into metal shapes to make different
patterns and also colours. The
traditional Maltese cross is often
used in these types of tiles.
Maltese Cross
 |
| Maltese Cross |
Other shapes and sizes also can be
found in various traditional Maltese
homes. Tile companies in Malta who
produce these tiles also restore old
homes to keep some prized and
important landmarks in history alive.
 |
| Flower Pattern |
 |
| Tulips |
You can also find tiles with added marble
chips which make them more durable and
are mainly used for outdoor layouts. These
tiles can be found by the name terrazzo tiles.
Also various sizes, shapes and colours are
used mainly same patterns as indoor tiles.
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