subject: Are You Familiar With Art Nouveau Graphic Design? [print this page] . Aged only 26 at the time of his death was the individual who altered the manner in which graphic designers envisioned a blank sheet and utilized those influences.
Even though his lifetime was short, he managed to develop his very own, highly personalized, interpretation of the entire art nouveau style which many artists have been trying to duplicate at various times throughout the 20th century.
One of the most famous and infamous literary figures of this time period was Oscar Wilde, who was a patron of various artistic styles, he put forth that art was an end unto itself and neither moral nor ethical judgments should be put upon it. Oscar Wilde opted to create drawings to illustrate a tale, which was exotic, kinky, and wicked, especially for the time period.
This youthful illustrator employed dark eroticism, beautiful seeping lines, and patterns with intelligent distortions to decorate this story.
His work was made distinctive by a spectacular give and take between black and white. Wilde applied large borders of black to provide variance with dainty patterns frolicking on a surface of white.
The background surface is typically uneven and motion is provided by long, uninterrupted bending lines. The people depicted in the renderings are basic sketches, though items such as hair and garments are frequently quite detailed. It is the reciprocity between the straightforward and the complex that bolsters Wilde's work and empowers it.
At the end of the 19th century imports from Japan were an inspiration for many designers as well as a revitalized study of medieval and early Renaissance art and decoration. Many artists in both the United States and Europe have imitated the work of this young illustrator, and he became quite well-known as a direct result of his illustrations appearing in quite a few famous publications. Nowadays, a great deal of his work is reproduced to be employed as framed posters and prints hung on walls.
By the end of the 1800's, such poster art had gradually changed from a commercial advertising form into a diverse art form all its own. During this time period, books were solely in black and white.
However, posters had begun to be produced in color as well. Design of posters typically concentrated on a single image, created to attract attention using color and form. Informative text regarding the item or event in question were as short as they could be.
The man heading up poster design capitalized on his awareness that capturing your viewer's attention hinges upon simplicity and clarity. To that end, his colors were vivid and bright and his shapes were flat and uncomplicated.
One notable artist used Impressionistic, hesitant, broken lines to express this. His pieces are heralded as classic art nouveau posters' forerunners.
The person who is credited with originating the proper art nouveau poster used stronger outlines and more billowing contours. You will recognize his work by the lithe young maidens dressed in flowing clothing, whose long hair surrounds them with fanciful forms.
Other artists became noteworthy by limiting their canvas to tall, thin shapes, filled with the image of a single woman. The intricate patterns were inspired by many diverse cultures such as Celtic motifs, Japanese wood cuts, Hebrew lettering, Arab and Moorish decorations, Byzantine mosaics and simple fold art.
The elegant art of these early graphic designers can be viewed via the many books and reprints of their work. You will also find there are dealers who will specialize in the sale of 19th, and early 20th century poster art.
Typically they put up tables at big international style antique shows. Original examples that have been well-maintained can easily cost hundreds, or even upwards of several thousand dollars.
