Session 5: Edges and Resistance

Learning Objectives

1. To identify and explain the position of the Arts and Crafts Movement in a modern society.

2. To identify and explain how Art Nouveau offered a universal aesthetic and the reasons for the failure of that goal.

Glossary of Terms: Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau
Translated as “new art,” this was the term for the movement in France which lasted from 1890-1910.  Elsewhere in Europe, the movement was known as Modernisme (Spain), Jugendstil (Germany) and Secession (Austria). 

Decorative arts
Designed objects, often luxury quality but with a functional use, such as metal and glass works, ceramics, furniture, jewelry and china. They were made by craftsmen (sometimes called artisans) or designers.  These objects were not considered fine art, but often rivaled or surpassed paintings in their costs because of the medium and amount of time and labor to make.

Japonisme
The French term for Japanese influenced art and design. Following the mid-19th century opening of trade relations between Europe and Japan, the French began importing Japanese objects such as ceramics and prints. These influenced the avant-garde, especially Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Art Nouveau because of the formal elements of line, color, and abstraction.

Karl Marx
A 19th century German philosopher whose book Das Kapital critiqued modern capitalistic society. He argued that society was not structured on philosophical or religious ideas, but on economics which resulted in an uneven distribution of wealth and class oppression. His ideas were influenced by the Industrial Revolution and the injustices that he saw in England. Marx advocated for a socialist structure and his writings were influential on many 19th century reformers.

Pre-Raphaelites
(sometimes referred to as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood)
 A mid-19th century group of English artists who rejected the frivolous and decadent painting of the English Royal Academy and favored a return to the more restrained quattrocentro style of Italian painting before the influence of Raphael. They advocated a greater reliance on nature and history paintings that offered moral guidance.  

Rococo
Originating in France after the death of Louis XIV and in contrast to the Baroque, this was the last European international style. Formally, it was characterized by curvilinear lines, a pastel palette and copious use of gold and white. Subject matter was often frivolous, light-hearted, romantic and sensuous. The Rococo enjoyed enormous popularity among the French aristocracy, but it was ultimately criticized and abandoned by the French Academy for the style’s inability to address serious subject matter.

There is a tendency toward tunnel vision in any course on Modern art.  It is easy to forget that the visual culture of the modern world extended far beyond paintings and sculpture. For many people, modern design was far more influential in their lives, and the opportunity to buy new kinds of furniture and decorative objects overshadowed the interest in fine art.

• What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on craft and design?

• What were the concerns about the growing influence of mass production on notions of taste and individuality?

To understand these issues, we need to look at the late 19th century Arts and Crafts Movement which means moving out of the world of fine art and into the landscape of products and design.

A universal aesthetic that would unite artists was a utopian goal of Modern art, but in the 19th century it was actually design that offered the most seductive and unifying aesthetic. Art Nouveau swept through Europe influencing every kind of design aspect from furniture to architecture to jewelry to advertising.

• What were the important design elements of Art Nouveau that made it so seductive?

• If Art Nouveau was so popular in design, why was it eventually abandoned?