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The term
"Victorian" properly refers to the period during the reign
of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901). However, it is often used to
generically describe the 1900's and the early part of the twentieth
century. This is a rather large span of time and encompasses a number
of recognizable styles that can all be referred to as Victorian.
GEORGIAN
ERA---
(1790-1831)
The
period prior to the Victorian Era that includes the early part of the
nineteenth century. Plants and animal themes were popular. This style
enjoyed a revival around the beginning of the twentieth century.
VICTORIAN
ERA---
(1837-1901) The
term "Victorian" properly refers to the period of time
during the reign of Queen Victoria of England. However, it is often
used to generically describe the 1900's and the early part of the
twentieth century.
The
Victorian Era, as a whole, is characterized by a romanticism in all
areas of the arts. Visual arts, music and literature all showed a
strong concern filled with emotion. Victorian designs are typically
highly ornamental. Fleural and other natural designs were extremely
prevalent. Rooms often mixed several complimentary prints in
wallpapers and fabriques, but his became less common toward the end of
the era. Pastel colours were used, however, they were often somewhat
less saturated than those used in later periods.
Clothing
styles were also detailed with the hour-glass figure considered the
feminine insignia. Corsets were generally worn to achieve this figure
and later, in the century and into the Edwardian era, "tight
lacing" became more common and brought with it the “petticoats
and crinolines”.
This
is a rather large span of time and encompasses a number of
recognizable styles that can all be referred to as “Victorian”.
EASTLAKE
ERA---
(1870-1900)
Named for a designer of the period who was tired of the flamboyance of
earlier Victorian design. His designs were simplified but still
considerably more florid than those that came with the Arts and Crafts
movement and later styles. The drawing to the right illustrates a
typical door frame corner from Eastlake period homes.
ART
NOUVEAU---
(1895-1905)
An art movement defined largely by the work of Alphonse Mucha, the Art
Nouveau style found its way into the design of many household items;
notably, furniture, lamps, clocks, jewelry, wallpaper and carpeting.
This style made profound use of stylized natural forms. Elegantly
curving vines and floral motifs were common. Women with long, flowing
hair and dresses were often to be found in Art Nouveau style pieces
such as paintings, sculpture and clocks. Classical themes were quite
popular as they were throughout much of the Nineteenth Century.
EDWARDIAN
ERA---
(1901-1915) The death of Queen Victoria, notably, marked the end of
the Victorian Era proper. The designs of that period, however,
continued to be always popular. Lace and filigree were favourites in
the Edwardian period.
ARTS
& CRAFTS ERA---
(1905-1935)
Notable in this style were designers and architects such as William
Morris, Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright. The style emphasized
simple, functional designs with straight lines and angular forms. It
also favored hand-made products over machine-made.
ART
DECO ERA--- (1920-1935) Characterized by clothing designer Erté and painters like
Tamara DeLempika, the Art Deco movement frequently used long sharp
lines and bright colors. Similar to the Arts and Crafts movement which
was happening at the same time, much of the Art Deco style was very
angular. The influence of the Art Nouveau style was still evident in
some typography and the use of naturel' motifs.
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