Art Deco paintings: features, ideas, bright representatives

Art Deco paintings are a harmonious combination of expressionism, modernity and cubism. This style, which lived its golden years between the two largest world conflicts, was one of the most elegant and glamorous in the history of modern art. It was accepted by many masters regardless of the field in which they worked: from architecture and interior design to painting, sculpture, ceramics, fashion and jewelry.

During the interwar period, art deco paintings were synonymous with modernist ideas of progress, optimism and a luxurious lifestyle for an entire generation of young people who came of age after the war. The aesthetics and heritage of Art Deco continue to delight today - in interiors, clothing, paintings, furniture. And nostalgic trends in modern society continue to revive some of the features of this luxurious style of the past.

Characteristics

Art Deco originated in France in the 1920s, and reached its peak of popularity internationally by the mid-1930s. We can say that this trend became the successor and a kind of reaction to modernity.

Such artistic movements as Cubism, Constructivism and Futurism, which created a kind of symbiosis with interweaving of various exotic motives, had a huge influence on the birth.

As for painting, art deco in paintings can be described with the main, but very important features:

• exact geometry of all elements;
• complete or partial departure from reality;
• bright, lively, saturated shades;
• clear meaning, no riddle or connotation;
• some pretentiousness and pomp;
• smooth strokes, contours;
• complete symmetry;
• ethnic motives.

Works of art are simply full of luxury and wealth, which are surprisingly intertwined with straight lines and clarity.

Ideas

The principles are based on modernity and neoclassicism:

• The images of figures and people are made in austere manner.
• The color palette used in Art Deco is typical of the Fauves from Paris.
• Display of Egyptian culture, art of the Aztecs, classics of antiquity.
• The canvases are not characterized by any philosophy, this is an exclusively decorative direction.
• Ornaments, ethno motives, strict patterns.

The style developed in relatively difficult conditions. Unstable economy, political situation - this was reflected in art deco paintings. As a rule, they do not make you think, go into details and subtleties. They are created to delight people, cheer them up, satisfy their aesthetic tastes. The artist's goal is to create a harmonious symbiosis of the best trends, presenting something luxurious and impressive to the world.

Art deco paintings in the interior

If you are trying to recreate this style in your home, then painting will help you to place accents 100% and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of luxury and chic.

Looking for a figurative image? Focus mainly on nudity or portraits. And in the case when the work of Tamara de Lempicki had a special influence on you, then look for portraits with underlined curves or with a feeling of "hardness" or "heavy figuredness".

However, you can hang canvases in any of the rooms that you decide to decorate in this eclectic direction. Overall, Art Deco paintings are quite condescending and decadent paintings, so they work well in spaces where you can really show off your furnishings.

The brightest representatives

Tamara Lempicka. Polish and American artist, author of the famous painting "Beautiful Raphael" (1927). Her style was the epitome of the cool yet sensual side of Art Deco.

Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron (A. M. Cassander) The master's works fully demonstrate elegance, futuristic inspiration with their energy and dynamism, as evidenced by such works as Nord Express. In 1925, his painting Au Bûcheron received first place in the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts, which gave the name to the style. Today, his canvases serve as a source of inspiration for artists and designers around the world, and Adolf himself is considered a preeminent art deco artist in art.

Jean Dupa. Also a Frenchman who similarly presented his work at the same exhibition as Cassander. On it, he posted the work "Les Perruches" ("Parrots"), which not only brought him fame, but also determined his future career, and, perhaps, the most famous in this trend.

Raphael Delorme. He left a noticeable mark on the history of art. He is now recognized as one of the most important figures of the Art Deco period along with Jean Dupa and Tamara de Lempicka.

Jean Gabriel Domergue. French artist specializing in portraits of Parisian women.