The beginnings of Art Deco

By 1890, the abundance of styles ‘neo‘appears to some creators as having sterile of the past. Yet this is not rejecting the past but it inspiring as the applied arts will renew itself: witness, Great Britain, the decorative repertoire of William Morris, from arabesques medieval.

Art Nouveau

"It is nature always that we must seek advice, ‘proclaims architect Hector Guimard in 1899, thus defining a new aesthetic movement Art newDue to the influence of Japanese art and symbolism. The creators are seduced by the linear qualities of the plant and its expression of organic force. Thus in furniture the frame is usually made of curves tight and flared outward, the plan is often curved, that the molding is soft and finally the sculptural decoration or that of bronze applied, well integrated structure, are plant-like iris, Umbelliferae, lilies, sometimes more stylish, and inspired so stems rather than flowers. Walnut, oak and especially pear, mahogany and tamarind woods are preferred. Despite the stated desire to make art for all and allow some industrial manufacturing, unique pieces.

The appearance plastic and dynamics of furniture and sets integrated into a setting is mainly the work of the French: Hector Guimard, Eugène Gaillard and Alexandre Charpentier Émile Gallé and Louis Majorelle - Founders of the School of Nancy - and the Catalan Antoni Gaudí; Belgians, including Victor Horta and Henry Van de Velde, use the curve with a tendency to abstraction, the English style, especially in Glasgow Charles Rennie MackintoshTends to simplify, almost straight, with decor unusual and lay-flat not far from the Austrian style: with the creations of the architect Josef Hoffmann dominate the right and decor location declined the square, heralding the next step.

Art Deco

In 1925, the Exhibition of Decorative Desks in Paris gave its name to the last of the great styles where craftsmanship still plays a role. He wants reaction against the exuberance of art nouveau, where a taste for geometric lines sometimes softened by rounded corners or a slight curve; little or no moldings, no protruding parts, this to highlight the volume. The decor remains limited to a frieze or a central motif - flowers and fruits heavily stylized made of sculpture flattened, with ivory inlay, gilt bronze, sometimes lacquered - or created by the patterns of the material itself - amboina or walnut, Macassar ebony, palm, lemon, amaranth or mahogany. Some furniture is sheathed in shagreen (sharkskin), sometimes tinged. Finally, the wrought iron is used for console or legs table. While proponents of Art Nouveau had wanted create to the greatest number and bring art into the street - literally, including the entrances subway stations due to Guimard furniture iron - Art Deco Subject to an elite creations refined Jacques Emile Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Louis Süe associated with Andre Mare, Paul Follot Albert Rateau, Andre Groult and Paul Iribe. As for Pierre Chareau, it is the link between avant-garde and tradition.