[click on images to see them in larger form]
Picture of: Upholstery : printed damasks + cottons
Early 1800's
Harwoord P.89
Rendered by Me: in pencil
Picture of: Upholstery : printed damasks + cottons
Early 1800's
Harwoord P.89
Rendered by Me: pencil, watercolor and colored pens.
During the British Greek Revival there was a demand for "luxury, prosperity and growth" [Harwood. P.66]
The industrial revolution helped progress + move them to this desire. Fashion began to "surpass taste as the driving force in the arts and design."
Machine made fabrics became increasingly common throughout the period and were considered highly prized. These brightly coloed chintzes : commonly came in greens, browns and yellow... reds were not popular at the time. They displayed a full range of patterns that were mainly inspired by nature + reflected the previous motif styles of British/ Greek design.
These motifs included architectural motifs such as columns. They also included flowers + large scales of botanical plants.
These pattens formed the interiors of dining rooms + libraries. The eye catching curves of the printed upholstery were also carved + applied to furniture, used as window "treatments", and contrasting wall hangings. The burst of these naturalistic patterns linked man and nature in one place... setting moods, creating atmosphere and reflecting great founding design periods by adding their own personal touch.
[Artifact]: Painting
Here is a painting by Edgar Degas, entitled : THE DANCERS. This painting may not seem eastern but there are clear indications that he was inspired by their art. He was specifically influenced by eastern wood block prints shown in the 2nd image. He borrows the body forms and the colors and puts his own western twist on it
[Eastern Wood Block Print]
[ This is the original picture of Edgar Degas' painting that Patrick showed us in class. That shows the link between the eastern wood block print. Unfortunately I could not find the wood block print which inspired this painting]
[Space]: The Peacock Room
The Peacock Room shows clear indications of Japanese influence. The delicate gilded detail, dragons, and respect/ emphasis on nature gives the sense and humble feeling of eastern design. The idea that one has a room in their home in the western world that has been influenced by the east shows that they have the funds, education and worldly - ness to own something such as this room.
[Building]: The Royal Seaside Pavilion
Without surrounding context, you would have no idea that this building was in Brighton, Uk. This western located Pavilion has a middle eastern influence on its exterior. But what is most intriguing is that several eastern countries have influenced this Royal Pavilion on the inside as well through: motifs, colors and artifacts
[Place]: ChinaTown, New York
China Town is a modern-day "World Fair." The eastern lifestyle has influenced the western world so much that New York has brought a little piece of China to the stateside adding a western twist. This is a huge statement in history and shows just how much the East has influenced the western world.
There is no doubt that the western world has been influenced by the Eastern world and has borrowed ideas from their art, designs, architecture.... from their world. This created a whole new spectrum in the world of design... defying the "rules" and placing things that do not belong together. The question is how far must we go when it comes mixing of styles before we ultimately create our own? ... In some sense, every home has created a new style that has been influenced by a founding period but they put their own personal twist on it according to their personal experience.
Work Cited:
http://www.worldtourist.us/newyorkcity/chinatown.jpg
Edgar degas: http://www.topofart.com/artists/Hilaire_Germain_Edgar_Degas/art_reproduction/2799/Dancers_in_Pink.php
[1] cool rendering of fabric. [2] good observation of east and west through artifacts and images.
ReplyDelete