The Aesthetic Movement .......
The
Aesthetic Movement developed out of the revolutionary Arts & Crafts
Movement in Britain and the combination of Gothic and Queen Anne Revival. The
earlier styles were blended with Eastern influences and so, an Anglo-Oriental
style was created. However, Aesthetic Movement designers still wanted the
designs to express English culture.
The
Aesthetic Movement was symbolized by the sunflower motif.
THOMAS
JECKYLL, Sunflower and iron for BARNARD, BISHOP & BARNARD (circa 1878-84)
As the
20th century was approaching, the Aesthetic Movement came out with new
ideas and shapes. Oscar Wilde (1854-1990) and Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898) were
great proponents of Aestheticism and they praised the doctrine of the Movement
that emphasized art in any product made - furniture, metalwork, ceramics,
stained glass, textiles, wallpapers, and books
...... "Art for Art`s Sake".
Aesthetic
Movement designers, such as Edward William Godwin (1833-1886) and
Christopher Dresser (1834-1904) wanted pure beauty in Art and Design. They wanted to reform design by using pure
simple lines. They were inspired by
Japanese woodcuts and also by the wares that were imported from the Middle East
and Asia by certain British companies, including Liberty & Co. However Godwin and Dresser searched for the
functional side of the oriental design.
They weren’t really interested in the decorative features like many
large British firms did (including Wedgwood, Copeland, Worcester and Minton). Godwin’s sketchbooks revealed that he used to
study various designs from different countries but his finished products always
had a completely English style.
Northampton Guildhall by E.W. Godwin
BBC, (2013), Landmarks of Northampton [ONLINE].
/student_landmarks_gallery.shtml?3
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Pair of Aesthetic Movement Brass Candle Sticks
(c. 1895 England)
(c. 1895 England)
The cotworlds art & antique dealers` association, (2013), Hall-Bakker CHRISTOPHER DRESSER (1834-1904) [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.cotswolds-antiques-art.com/antiques/d/pair-of-aesthetic-movement-brass-candle-sticks-in-style-of-christopher-dresser/121104
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Progressive
middle classes in Britain, such as those living in Bedford Park in West London chose the style of the Aesthetic
Movement designers for their "lifestyle".
Liberty
& Co. was very interested
in the ideas of the Aesthetic Movement and started to use their style for its
household furnishings and also for women’s clothes (loose and flowing).
Liberty & Co.
Liberty Blog, (2011), Historic Liberty 2…Outside the Store [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.liberty.co.uk/blog/7793/historic-liberty-2-outside-the-store/
[Accessed 15 October 13].
Antique Jewelry University, (2013), Liberty & Co. [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Liberty_%26_Co.
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Fin de siècle by Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley
Wikipedia, (2013), Fin de siècle [ONLINE]. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fin_de_si%C3%A8cle
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Some works of the Herter Brothers and Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) in the United States, and of François-Eugene Rousseau (1775-1857) in France revealed the style of the Aesthetic Movement as well.
Ebonised Aesthetic Movement wardrobe by the Herter Brothers
pintrest, (2013), Ebonised Aesthetic Movement wardrobe by the Herter Brothers [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/36380709462560995/
[Accessed 15 October 13]
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Aesthetic Movement - Louis Comfort Tiffany Chandelier
pintrest, (2013), Aesthetic Movement - Louis Comfort Tiffany Chandelier [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/407927678718570800/
[Accessed 15 October 13]
François Eugene Rousseau, Paris. Bowl in East-Asian manner (circa 1885)
liveauctioneers, (2011), Francois Eugene Rousseau, Paris. Bowl in East-Asian manner, circa 1885 [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/8991303
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Unfortunately nowadays only few objects and
untouched interiors (especially domestic ones) remain that truly express
the design of the Aesthetic Movement, therefore one cannot appreciate their
beauty and richness that much any longer.
It is a pity!
Other References:
Linh Nguyen. 2002. The 19th Century Aesthetic Movement. [ONLINE]
Available at: http://cai.ucdavis.edu/waters-sites/aesthetic_movement/aesthetic_movement.html.
Available at: http://cai.ucdavis.edu/waters-sites/aesthetic_movement/aesthetic_movement.html.
[Accessed 15 October 13]
Book: Fiell, C.F and P.F, 1999. Design of the 20th Century. 2nd ed. Germany: Taschen
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