Today in class we look at a massive time for new inventions and that was the 1800s and 1900s We learnt about some of the inventions that happened in the 1800s and early 1900s such as the first photograph, taken by Joseph Niépce in 1826. Here it is:
Looks very bad compared to todays standard, yet so impressive at the time as it was the first time that a photograph had been taken. It was interesting to me how far technology has come.
Japonism was the popularisation of Japanese style in other areas of the world, especially in Europe. This happened in the late 19th century. This was because for the first time in a long time trade began again with Japan and Europe, so new ideas were seen and used that had never been seen before in Europe. Japonism was when artists in Europe would use these Japanese art techniques and styles into their own work. Some characteristics of Japonism is using asymmetry, bright patterns and juxtaposed colours. Here are some Japonism artworks:
The Arts and Craft movement began in the late 19th century in Britain and had a massive effect on a lot of different industries. Artists and designers felt oppressed by the influx of new machinery that the industrialisation brought, so they reacted with the ‘Arts and Craft movement’, which emphasised the importance of objects and architecture not being dehumanised by only using machines to create them. They wanted to focus less on the efficiency of products and more on the quality and creativity of products, which led to things like furniture being made with handmade designs. Machines were still used, but not as much as they could have been to keep the human integrity behind products. A key figure of the Arts and Craft movement was William Morris, who was famous for his ‘Strawberry Thief’ design.
A chair from the Arts and Craft movement
Morris’s ‘Strawberry Thief’ design
William Morris
Art Nouveau is an art style that began around 1890. It was commonly used in architecture, interior design, jewellery and illustration. Some elements that gave this style it’s identity were; organic shapes, curving lines, and is heavily inspired by the natural world by using things like plants, leaves and other natural things. This style was very bold at the time and it’s purpose was to try and abandon the styles that were being used in the 19th century, which were quickly seen as outdated when people started using Art Nouveau style. Two cities that have a lot of Art Nouvuea architecture are Barcelona and Paris.
Art Nouveau architecture in Barcelona
Art Nouveau architecture in Paris
The Glasgow School of Art was an art school that was attended by a group of artists that are known as ‘The Four’, from around 1890-1910. The members of this group were Margaret Macdonald, Charles Mackintosh, Herbert McNair, and Frances Macdonald. Charles Mackintosh is the most famous of the four, and Margaret Macdonald was his wife. Her sister Frances Macdonald was married to the last member of the group, Herbert McNair. Together the four of them created an unofficial alliance where they would all work together to work on art projects, each bring something unique to the table. Their art style created ‘the Glasgow style’, which made an influential contribution to the international Art Nouveau movement. Glasgow style featured curving lines, organic shapes, natural real life elements, and simplified geometric patterns.
‘The Four’ from Glasgow School of Art
‘The May Queen’ by Margaret Macdonald
Todays class was interesting as we looked in detail at the design world at the start of the 20th century, which was a huge period for art and design. I especially enjoyed learning about movements such as Art Nouveau, and Japonism. Something that todays class has taught me is that it is important to have an understanding of design history, as there is a lot that can be learnt and applied in my design work today.