Art Deco
- About Art Deco: Sotheby'sArt Deco dazzlingly reflected the swinging energy, lavish indulgence, and machine-driven optimism of the interwar years in France and the United States. Drawing from a rich range of inspirations – the striking geometry of Cubism, the thrilling color and movement of the Ballets Russes, the ultimate opulence of King Tut's rediscovered tomb – Art Deco was a “total style,” influencing the design and production of everything from skyscrapers to cars to jewelry.
- Art Deco: BritannicaArt Deco, also called style moderne, movement in the decorative arts and architecture that originated in the 1920s and developed into a major style in western Europe and the United States during the 1930s.
- Art Deco: The Art StoryBy the end of the 19th century in France, many of the notable artists, architects, and designers who had played important roles in the development of the Art Nouveau style recognized that it was becoming increasingly passé. At the close of a century that saw the Industrial Revolution take hold, contemporary life became very different from a few decades earlier. It was time for something new, something that would shout "20th Century" from tasteful, modernist rooftops.
Research & Reference
- Art Deco: Credo ReferenceA Credo Reference landing page on art deco. This page includes links to reference works, journal articles, and a mind map.
Art Deco Icons
Characterized by an interplay of crisp geometry and sumptuous curvilinear forms, Art Deco designs epitomized the early 20th century’s international spirit of modernity. This series uses four architectural and technological case studies to show how the movement swept through Britain in the 1930s, indelibly changing the nation’s cultural and aesthetic character. Architectural historian David Heathcote throws his engaging and scholarly spotlight on the majestic hotel Claridge’s, the soaring London Transport headquarters, the rural mansion known as Casa del Rio, and the legendary Orient Express. 4-part series, 28–29 minutes each.
Perspectives
Tamara de Lempicka
This catalogue is published to accompany the first exhibition in Britain dedicated to the work of Art Deco painter, Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980), held at London's Royal Academy of Arts in 2004. Focusing on de Lempicka's most productive years, between 1922 and 1935, the text features 60-plus color plates--mostly striking portraits of Parisian writ