Dec 10
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Learn More About Art Nouveau Graphic Design Copied And Admired For Ages
Graphic illustrators near the end of the 19th century were using all the important elements of design, shape and pattern. The man who used those same elements and actually changed the way that graphic designers looked at a page, died at the age of only 26 years. In his relatively brief adulthood, he formulated a greatly individualistic articulation of the art nouveau aesthetic, which has drawn imitation from numerous artists throughout the 20th century.
Oscar Wilde was considered one of the most controversial, important literary figures of his time, who believed art was unto itself, who championed the idea of having a myriad of artistic styles, and didn’t think art should ever be judged based on ethical or moral concerns. This was the certain artist chosen by Wilde to create the illustrations for a literary piece that was simultaneously avant garde and disturbing. With the use of sinister eroticism, some elegant sweeping lines and patterns, this young illustrator created clever distortions in his illustrations of this story.
His work was made distinctive by a spectacular give and take between black and white. He used wide borders and planes or shadows which contrasted with the delicate patterns etched upon a white surface. His page was commonly unbalanced and the artistic movement was displayed with sweeping, continuous and undulating curves. The people depicted in the renderings are basic sketches, though items such as hair and garments are frequently quite detailed. It is that interplay between something simple and something complicated that creates the true strength of his work.
A lot of designers toward the end of the 19th century received inspiration from the imports that were being brought from Japan, as well as renewing their interest in early Renaissance decorations and medieval arts. The artist’s pieces were often copied in Europe and America and he gained notoriety due to illustrations having turned up in a series of renowned materials for circulation. Currently, a great deal of this art is available as reproduction prints and posters.
Poster art developed slowly from a form of commercial advertising to its own artistic genre during the late 19th century. Posters were some of the first things to be printed in color, all of the books still being printed in black and white. The best known poster designer typically highlighted a single, large, vividly hued, striking subject. Wording for the product or event was kept to a bare minimum. He knew that the audience’s attention was more easily attracted to simplicity so he used vivid colors and flat, basic shapes. Much like an Impressionist painting, his lines would be somewhat fractured and hesitant. Tbis artist’s work is therefore widely known as the precursor to the true art nouveau poster aesthetic.
A different illustrator, who used strong outlines and more flowing contours, is put forth as the true “father” of the original art nouveau poster. His work is always characterized by willowy young girls in rather loose clothing, and with their hair that’s long, flowing, and billows out in capricious forms. Another of the well known and affluent art nouveau poster designer’s works were always one elegant, narrow strip, usually depicting a full length female figure. To make the intricate and detailed patterns of the time, the artists would draw from many sources including fold art, Arab and Moorish decoration, Hebrew lettering, Celtic motifs, Japanese wood cuts and Byzantine mosaics.
Many reproductions of these artists exist in books and as lithographs or prints that are suitable for framing. Many dealers specialize in collecting and selling posters from the 19th and early 20th centuries. You can often find them selling their wares at antique shows. If you find an original piece in excellent condition, you can expect to pay hundreds, possibly thousands, for the honor of owning it.
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