Art Deco is a 20th-century artistic and design movement that emerged in the 1920s and gained significant popularity in Western Europe and the United States in the 1930s. The name of this style was derived from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, which took place in Paris in 1925 and served as the first exhibition of this style. Art Deco design epitomized the transformation of modernism into a fashionable aesthetic. The goal behind all of its products, which ranged from mass-produced goods to finely created luxury items, was to create an elegant, anti-traditional look that denoted wealth and sophistication.
Art Deco style is characterized by simple and sleek shapes, often with a streamlined appearance. The ornamentation is typically geometric or stylized, deviating from realistic forms. The materials used are diverse and often expensive, encompassing both artificial materials such as plastics (particularly Bakelite), vita-glass, and ferroconcrete, as well as natural ones like jade, ivory, silver, chrome, obsidian, and rock crystal. Art Deco products were not commonly created in large quantities, but they showcased the style’s appreciation for the modernity of machines and the design traits of machine-made objects, such as simplicity, flatness, symmetry, and repeated motifs.
Art Deco was shaped by several influential factors, including Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus movement, Cubism, and Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Inspiration for art deco ethos and decorative concepts was drawn from several sources including American Indian, Egyptian, early classical, and natural elements. The artwork featured recurring themes such as naked feminine figures, animals, plant life, and beams of sunlight, all depicted in stylized and standardized representations.
The majority of the exceptional Art Deco artists developed unique or limited-edition pieces. These individuals were the furniture designers Maurice Dufrène and Jacques Ruhlmann; the architect Eliel Saarinen; the metalsmith Jean Puiforcat; the glass and jewelry designer René Lalique; the fashion designer Erté; the artist-jewelers Raymond Templier, Wiwen Nilsson and H.G. Murphy; and the figural sculptor Chiparus. Paul Poiret, the fashion designer, and Edward McKnight Kauffer, the graphic artist, are notable for their ability to actively engage with a wider audience through their work. The Rockefeller Center in New York City, particularly its interiors overseen by Donald Deskey, constructed between 1929 and 1940, along with the Chrysler Building designed by William Van Alen and the Empire State Building by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, are the most significant examples of Art Deco architecture. In the 1930s, the Art Deco style became dominant in South Beach, Miami, Florida, resulting in the creation of the Art Deco historic district.
Art Deco design regained popularity in the late 1960s, despite the fact that it was out of fashion in the majority of regions during Second World War. The Art Deco style originated in Paris, but has influenced architecture and culture as a whole.Throughout the 21st century, it remained a significant influence in various fields, including decorative art, fashion, and jewelry design.
Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco architecture is the physical representation of a larger movement that included the visual arts, interior design, and product design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, mostly in Europe and the United States. Art Deco style architecture is characterized by the streamlined designs, and use of geometric shapes and volumes, with structures often created from modern materials such as chrome, stucco, steel, terra-cotta, decorative glass, and aluminum. According to Robins vice president of the Art Deco Society of New York and author of New York Art Deco: A Guide to Gotham’s Jazz Age Architecture, “it has geometric patterns, stylized floral patterns, zigzags, and especially vertical windows. Prior to its formal designation, the architects responsible for the construction of Art Deco buildings in New York referred to it as the vertical style.”
The aesthetic originated in America, primarily in New York City, as a distinct architectural style focused on skyscrapers, which later extended to other types of structures. The New York skyscrapers and Miami’s pastel-colored buildings are widely recognized as iconic examples of the international style of American architecture. However, this architectural style has been used in many buildings across the world. The Works Progress Administration had a significant role in popularizing American Art Deco style (Wood, 2018). The merging of Art Deco and Beaux-Arts classicism observed in many public works during the Great Depression is commonly referred to as PWA Moderne or Depression Moderne.
Characteristics of Art Deco Architecture
The main characteristics of Art Deco style architecture are its geometric and intricate patterns, which are often adorned with brilliant metal embellishments, 360 degree design, vertical emphasis and bold colors. A significant number of these structures have a vertical orientation, designed in a way to attract attention towards the sky. The arrangement of rectangular, typically blocky shapes follows a geometric pattern, enhanced by the use of rooftop spires and/or curving ornamental elements to create a sleek and streamlined appearance.
1. Geometric Shapes in Art Deco Style Architecture
Art Deco style artists were inspired by the geometric elements seen in Cubist paintings, including repeated shapes such as squares, triangles, chevrons, and zig-zags into their artwork. The concept of “modern” in Art Deco design has consistently revolved around the idea of modernity, with decorative artists and architects often conveying this through the use of geometric forms. The collection of geometric shapes comprised of triangles, circles, squares, and rectangles. These shapes were often used to generate dramatic and theatrical patterns, while also conveying a feeling of organization, symmetry, and accuracy.
The Eastern Columbia Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture, was completed in just nine months and opened its doors in 1930. It is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The premises were occupied by the Eastern Outfitting Company and the Columbia Outfitting Company, establishments specializing in furniture and apparel retail. The structure is constructed using steel-reinforced concrete and covered in glossy turquoise terracotta, adorned with deep blue and gold accents. The building’s vertical emphasis is heightened by deeply set bands of paired windows and spandrels adorned with copper panels, which are divided by vertical columns.Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles
Claud Beelman one of the many American architects designed The Eastern Columbia building with a focus on symmetry and geometry, which collaborate to highlight the vertical aspect. For example, several columns replicate the outer edges and vertical dimensions of the structure. The building’s front and main entrances showcase the well-known shapes, patterns, and motifs of Deco, including sunbursts, zig-zags, chevrons, and stylized plants and animals. The flying buttresses located above the clock tower bear resemblance to the pyramid structure, which is another characteristic of Art Deco, that crowns City Hall. The multi-colored terrazzo encircling the building features chevron designs that are also seen on the sidewalks.
2. Bold colors in Art Deco Architecture
The Art Deco period is characterized by vibrant and opulent colors. The Art Deco Buildings utilize bold color combinations such as black and white or gold and silver to establish a striking contrast (Curtis, 1982). Notable examples of Art Deco architecture known for their vibrant color schemes and dramatic contrasts include the Empire State Building in New York City and the Hoover Building in London.
The Hoover Building showcases a very cohesive architectural form, featuring tall stepped columns that span virtually the whole height of the building, all enclosed within a precise geometric framework. The premises have ornamental iron gates and fences, vertical windows that descend alongside stairwells, and an extravagantly adorned entrance.
The Hoover Building
Every element of this building has been meticulously designed to complement the overall aesthetic. Since the entrance will be the area most frequently observed, it is especially detailed. The light fixtures positioned within the walls on either side are precisely positioned geometrically within their unique mounts, and the gates proudly display the H for Hoover atop traditional symmetric art deco ironwork.
Entrance of the Hoover Building
The corner stairwells are particularly aesthetically pleasing.The front and side faces of the stairs are adorned with graceful strips of green framed glass that extend throughout its entire length. At the bottom of the side glass panel, the strips are skillfully arranged in a stepped pattern, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. The corner also features curving windows enclosed by corner columns. An exquisite design that fills the stairwell with an abundance of natural light.
A Hoover Building corner
Several classic elements of art deco design are present in the magnificent canteen building to the west, which features inward curving windows to a central recessed portion. The central recessed portion itself is characterized by angled windows and decorative vertical fins.
The canteen building
According to Robins, “The color on buildings is generally monotone and it’s often gray,” But that’s not the case for Art Deco buildings.” Art Deco design frequently incorporates brilliant colors such as yellow, green, red, and blue.
The vibrant aquamarine windows, the glossy ceramics on the main entry facade, and the intricately patterned black grills on the door are features that make The Hoover building an exquisite work of Art Deco architectural style.
3. Luxurious Materials in Art Deco Architecture
Ebony, teak, and lacquer were key materials of Art Deco architecture due to their association with luxury and extravagance. During this period, marble transitioned from being primarily utilized in architecture to becoming a crucial component. Artists employ the use of marble and the scagliola method to create dining and side tables, as well as consoles. Prominent designers including Ruhlmann, Jean Dunand, and Marc du Plantier utilized lavish and extravagant materials.
Art Deco architecture also showcases other opulent and rare materials like ebony, ivory, silk, brass, chrome, and exotic woods. These materials were frequently utilized in a rich and elaborate manner, with the intention of conveying a strong impression of lavishness, refinement, and grace.
The Empire State Building is a 102-storey skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States of America. It was briefly the tallest building and features Art Deco-style architecture. The construction of the building incorporated Art Deco design elements, including animal motifs, rich embellishments, and the utilization of metallic colors, clean shapes, and striking forms.
The Empire State Building was built with a steel framework, which is a very modern material. However, unlike the Eiffel Tower, the frame is not clearly visible. Instead, its existence is implied partially by the vertical dimension of the structure and also by the composition of the exterior surface. The outer surface is clad in limestone and granite, embellished with aluminum to enhance its shine. This combination of materials was prevalent in the Art Deco style and conveyed a look that was both industrial and futuristic, yet sophisticated.
The external materials of the Empire State Building are notably free of excessive adornment, making them easily noticeable. The emphasis is placed on the structure itself. The Empire State Building made a significant contribution to the Art Deco movement, particularly in its lobby. The lobby showcases iconic Art Deco designs, such as a flattened representation of the building with geometric sunbursts emanating from the spire. This design is highly characteristic of Art Deco and adds to the overall Art Deco aesthetic of the building.
The exterior of the building is predominantly covered in light-colored Indiana limestone cladding. The two entrances are adorned with contemporary stainless steel canopies. The ground level is decorated with black granite. The main doors and windows up to the third level are fitted with triple pane glass and metal grills. The first floor windows and doors are framed with aluminum.
The lobby of the Empire State Building is a prominent example of New York City’s fine art and deco architecture. The ceiling features a mural made of 24-karat gold and aluminum leaf, depicting a composition of interconnected gears as a tribute to the mechanical age. The art deco style of the Empire State skyscraper is characterized by the presence of medallions. These medallions, namely Electricity, Masonry, and Heating, were positioned above the entrance door to remember the innovative technologies employed in the construction of the skyscraper.
The Lobby of the Empire State Building
A Medallion in the Empire State Building
Before the tower steps back, there are stainless steel gargoyles, and two sculptured eagles can be found atop the Empire State entryway. Egyptian and ancient Greek figures were a favorite source of inspiration for Art Deco painters, who modernized historical figures and modified them to fit their vision of modern design.
Stainless steel gargogyles on top the building entryway.
4. Visible in the Round
Art Deco architecture typically can be viewed “in the round,” from all sides, almost like a piece of abstract sculpture. These buildings are can be viewed “in the round,” from all sides, almost like a piece of abstract sculpture. They are visible from any angle. Instead of appearing two-dimensional—the way many buildings look when placed directly next to each other—art deco buildings consistently appear three-dimensional. “One way you do this is by building skyscrapers that tower over the neighbors, but they also did more than that.” Robins says. “Architects would chamfer the corners or curve the corners, they’d use setbacks and other designs to give the sense of three dimensions.”
Radio City Music Hall in New York City
The Radio City Music Hall in New York City with is within the Rockefeller Centre exemplifies the 360 degree design feature of Art Deco buildings.
Art Deco Furniture
Until the late 1920s, French avant-garde furniture design was primarily based on reduced, less curved Art Nouveau designs. Furniture made during the initial stages of the movement failed to appeal to the general public, instead aiming to captivate the wealthy, who began to show a significant fascination with opulent merchandise (Pennicuik, 2004).). During the 1920s, prominent Parisian department stores underwent a transition in their decorating departments, shifting from Art Nouveau to Art Deco. This transformation played a significant role in offering customers a wide range of luxurious products, including jewelry, ashtrays, coffee tables, and large Art Deco bedroom furniture. These products effectively promoted the emerging Art Deco movement.
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann established himself as the leading furniture designer of the decade, evident by his own pavilion at the 1925 Exposition. Although his designs drew inspiration from 18th-century neoclassical pieces, he removed a significant amount of decorative elements while including exotic materials commonly used by Art Nouveau designers, like mahogany, ebony, rosewood, ivory, and tortoise shell. Naturally, his works were too expensive for anyone but the most wealthy people to acquire.
Unlike Ruhlmann’s opulent creations that appeared to combine elements of both Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, Jules Leleu was a French furniture designer who embraced a more distinct Art Deco aesthetic. Prior to the emergence of Art Deco style he worked as a traditional designer. He gained recognition for his work on the great dining room of the Elysee Palace in Paris, as well as the opulent staterooms on the first-class deck of the sophisticated steamship, the Normandie.
Unlike Leleu and Ruhlmann, Le Corbusier advocated for a minimalist interpretation of the Art Deco style, free of ornamentation. He frequently designed furniture that complemented the austere interiors of his own architectural creations. His primary objective was to create prototypes, specifically of chairs, that could be manufactured in large quantities, making them more accessible and inexpensive to a wider range of consumers.
These designers were not just skilled artisans and cabinet makers; they also frequently excelled in non-architectural fields like material and lighting design. They created entire homes, offices, and buildings, as well as their interiors, frequently for affluent patrons and companies. Other artists included Edgar Brandt, Charles Picquet, and Paul Follot. Interior design was transformed by the movement, and Art Deco furniture continues to be extremely desirable among connoisseurs today.
Art Deco Furniture Style and Characteristics
The decorative style of Art Deco is characterized by the use of geometric patterns, naturalistic motifs, vibrant colors, and curvilinear shapes, which are also evident in the furniture design trends of that time. The production of high-quality contemporary Art Deco furniture involved the careful construction of elegant shapes using ebony and other rare woods, utilizing traditional techniques such as veneering and marquetry. Art Deco furniture was consistently polished, frequently employing Japanese lacquer to give a lustrous appearance. In addition to distinctive wood, designers of the Art deco period also elegantly incorporated luxury materials such as ivory, wrought iron, and glass.
1. Geometry
Geometric shapes and patterns are fundamental for understanding Art Deco design. This design style incorporates a distinctive combination of linear elements, precise angles, and symmetrical motifs to establish a feeling of order and symmetry. These elements are contrasted with curved and flowing shapes to convey a sense of fluidity and motion. In the 1920s, this style was apparent in every facet of design. Consequently, it infiltrated people’s households through various means, including architecture, fashion, and ornamental arts. Today, it is primarily found in furniture.
The furniture of the era also used this style of patterning, featuring items such as chair backs with stepped motifs and intricate inlay and wood marquetry patterns. It is worth noting that although geometry suggests basic shapes, Art Deco style took these shapes and stacked them in layers, resulting in complicated and sophisticated compositions. The motifs of sunbursts and chevrons were frequently observed.
Marquetry is the art of creating elaborate designs and geometric patterns using several types of wood, including boxwood, satinwood, ebony, and even ivory. Pieces of furniture from that era prominently showcase traditional and natural marquetry patterns.
Streamline Moderne, a design movement closely associated with Art Deco furniture, embodies the characteristic streamlined geometry seen in both architecture and design. Streamline Moderne, a design trend characterized by its sleek and aerodynamic style, gained popularity in the 1930s. It not only impacted architecture but also influenced other areas of design such as furniture, automobiles, home appliances, and fashion.
2. Exotic Woods
The best Art Deco furniture had to have an air of grandeur, which required using the best and exotic woods available. The production of high-quality modern Art Deco furniture involved the laborious craftsmanship of exquisite designs, utilizing ebony and other exotic woods through traditional techniques such as veneering and marquetry. Expensive woods are common, including ash, mahogany, zebrawood, amboyna, and ebony. Burl wood was also frequently found. Furthermore, these particular varieties of exotic wood were occasionally adorned with veneers that featured grains arranged in contrasting orientations, resulting in a geometric design and enhancing visual appeal.
Art Deco desk entirely covered with Macassar Ebony Veneer. Chromed metal handles and lock entries. French work from ca. 1930.
Shiny finishes were achieved for Art Deco furniture by polishing it constantly and using Japanese lacquer. In addition to unique wood, designers of the era also elegantly incorporated luxury materials such as ivory, wrought iron, and glass. Art Deco artisans often used multiple layers of lacquer to achieve a refined surface, resulting in a sleek luster and an enduring aesthetic for the artwork.
Lacquered Art Deco furniture from the 1920s.
New materials, such as Bakelite or chromium handles, were also used, and the wood was extensively French polished on the more intricate veneers. Lighter tones of timber were fashionable, showcasing the inherent patterns of the wood with a glossy finish and curved designs. These pieces were not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly stylish. Their décor featured inlays made from materials like as mother of pearl, ivory, rosewood, and brass, which displayed exquisite and understated craftsmanship, ranging from straight lines to diamond-shaped key escutcheons. The Art Deco era epitomized opulence, elegance, and contemporary aesthetics, which is why furniture from this period seamlessly complements modern settings.
3. Art Deco Waterfall Furniture
Waterfall is a furniture design style that emerged around the 1930s and 1940s. Art Deco furniture design did not always prioritize straight lines, despite its emphasis on clean lines. Items such as chair backs and arms, cabinets, and vanities were adorned with elegant curves that were both soft and intentional. The curved aesthetics commonly manifested as the “waterfall edge,” which featured rounded edges on horizontal surfaces, resembling the descent of a waterfall.
Typically, pieces in this style were coated with a blond veneer, however a minority of them were coated with a darker walnut finish. The drawer fronts of higher-priced Waterfall furniture often showcased distinctive designs, such as ornamental crossbanding and bookmatched panels.
The handles were commonly made of orange Bakelite and brass, and several vanities included illuminated spheres or frosted panels. Occasionally, artworks in this particular fashion were combined with large circular mirrors adorned with engraved embellishments. The furniture was constructed using plywood, which would undergo molding during the manufacturing process. Premium pieces would showcase the Waterfall curve in molded plywood, with the plywood’s edges on the side corners being gently rounded. Waterfall furniture that was mass-produced typically had a quarter-round edge.
The rounded drops at the corners of all horizontal surfaces, which are designed to resemble a cascading waterfall, are distinctive characteristics of waterfall furniture. These late 1930s walnut burl nightstands are a rare and charming find.
A pair of late 1930s Art Deco waterfall design walnut and matched burl nightstands.
4. Leather
High-quality leathers are distinctive features of numerous furniture pieces from the Art Deco era, indicating that luxury was prioritized. Occasionally, these leathers were dyed in vibrant jewel tones, which were highly favored in contemporary jewelry. Alternatively, they were produced in a bold, pure white color to provide a strong visual contrast.
Armchairs, club chairs, and sofas were made using high-quality leather, which added elegance to a fashionable living room, workplace, or den. Club chairs often had a compact back shape, curved arms, and square tapered legs constructed from high-quality leather paired with meticulously manufactured oak.
A leather made chair in the Art Deco era.
Art Deco Design
The qualities of Art Deco design emerged from the historical context of the era, as is the case with many creative movements. The early 1900s followed closely after the Industrial Age. Therefore, the prominence of mechanical engineering diminished, so enabling design to assume a more prominent role. The selection of the train for your journey was primarily based on the luxuriousness of its cabins rather than the power of its engine. Manufacturers engaged in competition by enhancing the opulence and visual appeal of these novel modern comforts. As a result, people began to link mechanical marvels with opulence and social status.
Simultaneously, other artistic movements during that period of art history were establishing the foundation for the stylistic trajectory of Art Deco. The trend incorporated the stark abstraction and rectilinear geometries of Cubism, as well as the Futurist ideal of an advanced civilization, resulting in a style characterized by excessive and unapologetic decorative arts.
Characteristics of Art Deco Design
The key distinguishing features of Art Deco design symmetry, layered shapes,intricate line art, rectilinear shapes and geometry, aerodynamic curves and metallic colors like gold and chrome.
1. Theatre and Lighting Motifs
Art Deco is primarily a bold design that shamelessly draws attention to itself. It reflects the ebullient spirit of its era, which was characterized by revelry in the face of Prohibition. In the past, major cities were converted into flashy spectacles by new modern conveniences, such as the electric light bulb. Times Square in New York was a cultural hub of theatre, music, and electrified ad space.
A photo of 1920s Times Square at night
This spectacle is frequently reflected in Art Deco graphic design through the use of bold ornamentation, contrast, and scale. Triangular shapes that gradually widen from the bottom are commonly used in Art Deco designs to imitate the appearance of stage lights, when interpreted more literally (Kotb, 2014). Alternatively, these triangles can be expanded outward in the shape of sunbursts, resulting in a design that emits a radiant and beacon-like effect. The crucial aspect is that the final design is not merely an additional member of the chorus line, but rather a prominent and distinguished figure in its own right.
Art Deco beer label design
Thin triangles pointed upwards create rays.
Art Deco logo design
The color white and dotted lines can mimic the look of lighted signage.
Art deco logo design
Nested triangles create pseudo-stage lights.
2. Symmetrical Geometry and Modern Line Art
The 1925 exhibition that gave rise to Art Deco required the featured items to strictly adhere to a single criterion: they had to be modern. The primary focus of Art Deco design has always been modernity.
Artists commonly convey the abstract idea of “modern” through the use of geometric forms. Nature exhibits a tendency towards curvaceous and organic forms, whereas man-made architecture is characterized by precision and adherence to mathematical principles. Lines serve as the fundamental elements of blueprints, which were used to construct the innovative skyscrapers that were rapidly emerging in urban areas during that time. Consequently, the metropolis, which is the focal point of contemporary existence, was depicted with distinct, intricate lines that extended above.
The lines of Art Deco design exhibit a level of detail comparable to the mechanical gears in a clock, while the presence of symmetry imparts a sense of stability akin to that of the highest skyscraper. This can be particularly advantageous for embellishing rectangular patterns, such as packaging or business cards. Art Deco line art serves as a framing element in this context. They may feature a chrome or gold finish to achieve a visually striking and mechanistically inspired appearance.
Art Deco typography
Art deco typography uses angular geometry and high crossbars to mimic skyscrapers.
Art Deco logo design
Even less intricate line art can have an Art Deco effect when paired with the right typeface.
3. Motion and Aerodynamic Curves
Rounded shapes are commonly linked with the static aspects of the natural world, such as trees and hills. However, Art Deco designers employed curves to symbolize movement.
The 1920s and 1930s were characterized by a strong emphasis on mobility and change. The metropolitan cityscape was experiencing fast growth, and there was an abrupt shift in transportation methods from horse-and-buggy to airplanes, trains, and automobiles. As a result, whether you were among the many arriving in the city on the most recent locomotive or rushing across town in a cab to attend the newest party, there was a strong feeling that urban life was characterized by rapid motion. As a result, painters and designers depicted forward movement using zeppelin-like, aerodynamic curves and exaggerated the characteristics of the modern machine, creating a futuristic appearance.
Futuristic car design by Norman Bel Geddes
Industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes envisioned the future as round.
From a purely visual perspective, circles offer a striking contrast to more angular geometric designs, which is why Art Deco font often combines straight lines with exaggerated curves. Designers might utilize inclined stiff lines to suggest movement.
“Spirit of the Wind” car mascot by René Lalique
This glass car mascot from the period repurposes rigid lines to indicate not stability but motion. “Spirit of the Wind” by René Lalique.
Art Deco wine label
Slanted lines make this design feel on the move.
Art Deco book cover design
Art Deco typography using rigid lines contrasted by curves.
Art Deco logo design
Triangles here not only create motion lines but emphasize the machine.
4. Ancient Egyptian Influences
Alongside technological and economic progress, the early 1900s witnessed significant archeological achievements in ancient Egypt, culminating in the unearthing of King Tut’s burial chamber in 1922 (Dewidar, 2017). The subsequent surge of media and cultural fascination with ancient cultures was referred to as Egyptomania, which influenced film (“The Mummy” and “Cleopatra”), fashion (the flowing gowns and headbands favored by flappers), and architecture (The Washington Monument obelisk).
Chrysler building elevator doors
Egyptian reeds on the Chrysler building elevator doors.
Despite the seeming disparity between ancient history and the machine-inspired aesthetic of Art Deco, there were striking similarities between Bronze Age Egyptians and urban residents of the 1920s. Specifically, their obsession with grandiose buildings, the reverence they attach to their material belongings, and the lavish ornamentation in their clothing. As a result, a significant portion of Art Deco exhibits an Egyptian-influenced aesthetic characterized by pyramid-shaped forms, fan-shaped reeds, and highly stylized wings.
Art Deco logo design
Art Deco logo design
Art Deco vs. Art Nouveau Design Style
Although Art Deco and Art Nouveau share similar names and emerged around the same era, these two styles exhibit unique visual disparities.
Art Nouveau prioritizes the aesthetic of natural beauty above all other considerations. The aesthetic of this style is defined by its smooth curves and rounded shapes, which aim to reflect the exquisite allure of the natural world. Despite the abundance of intricate embellishments and an aura of opulence, Art Nouveau works are characterized by a notable absence of harsh angles or edges. This style is exemplified by the entrances to Paris’ subway stations and a significant portion of the artwork created by French artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.
Art Deco, on the other hand, is a design style that glorifies the concepts of modernism and industry. The main attribute of this object is its distinctively defined edges and geometric forms. Artworks in this genre employ geometric forms and expensive materials to express a feeling of affluence and hopefulness towards the future. Curves are typically accompanied by angular lines.
References
- Curtis, J. R. (1982). Art deco architecture in Miami Beach. Journal of Cultural Geography, 3(1), 51-63.
- Dewidar, K. M. (2017). art déco Style (1920-1940). Professor of Architecture, Ain Shams University of Cairo, Eygpt.
- Kotb, R. M. (2014). Art Deco architectures as inspiration source in fashion design. International journal of Science Commerce and Humanities, 2(3), 1-17.
- Pennicuik, M. (2004). The Herman Miller furniture company: Leaders in American art deco and modern furniture design. Spirit of Progress, 5(2), 5-7.
- Wood, T. W. (2018). Misclassified and Misunderstood: Reevaluating Works Progress Administration Public Buildings in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.