As the 19th century was drawing to a close, graphic illustrators incorporated pattern, shape and design into their art.
This major shift in approach to graphic design can be traced back to one artist, who died at the young age of 26.
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.
Wilde chose this important figure in the history of Art Nouveau style to create imagery for a story of his which was considered 'perverse' and 'exotic'.
The blossoming artist utilized dark eroticism, grand lines, arrangements and interesting imagery to depict the storyline.
A pronounced interplay between positive and negative space defines this artist's noteworthy style.
This artist often used elegant patterns on a light surface, surrounded by heavy borders and negative space.
The resulting works were sweeping and beautiful, active across the entire visual plane and lacking symmetry.
Although the actual characters found in his art are very simple outlines, their clothes or props are usually very detailed.
The intriguing interplay and contrast between the complicated and simple characterizes his work.
Japanese art, as well a a revival in medieval art forms and early Renaissance work inspired designers at the end of the 19th century.
Wilde's drawings ran in numerous famous and popular publications of the time.
This led to widespread admiration and appreciate of his work in both the United States and throughout Europe.
Artists imitated and copied his work at every opportunity.
Currently, a great deal of this art is available as reproduction prints and posters.
Poster art evolved during the 19th century; it was first simply used as commercial advertising, and then changed into a completely different art form.
Even though the books of that particular era were being produced in black and white print, color posters were also being printed.
One colorful and arresting image was the focus of the leader of poster design.
If this image was advertising an event or a product, the accompanying text was usually very simple and quick.
He worked with powerful colors and simple shapes that were flat so that he would seize the viewers' attentions.
He used lines that were fractured and suggestive much like the Impressionist artists.
Because of this, his work is though to be the forerunner of the exemplary art nouveau design poster.
There was another illustrator, who is thought of as the creator of the more proper art nouveau poster, who used more fluid contours and much stronger outlines.
His is the familiar work seen full of willowy, young girls wearing loose clothing and letting their hair flow down from their heads, which then moves out into further artistic shapes.
An additional renowned art nouveau poster artist's creations were invariably characterized by sleek, thin proportions which included a full-body rendering of a woman.
Ornate, complex arrangements feature a range of influences, such as origami, Hebrew characters, Arab and Moorish embellishments, Byzantine mosaic work, Japanese wood cut examples and Celtic themes.
Books and reprints are available today for many of the turn-of-the-century artists.
You will also find there are dealers who will specialize in the sale of 19th, and early 20th century poster art.
These dealers can frequently be found in stand-alone stalls at big antique markets.
If you go, be ready to deal with prices from hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for any original pieces that are in excellent condition.
This major shift in approach to graphic design can be traced back to one artist, who died at the young age of 26.
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.
Wilde chose this important figure in the history of Art Nouveau style to create imagery for a story of his which was considered 'perverse' and 'exotic'.
The blossoming artist utilized dark eroticism, grand lines, arrangements and interesting imagery to depict the storyline.
A pronounced interplay between positive and negative space defines this artist's noteworthy style.
This artist often used elegant patterns on a light surface, surrounded by heavy borders and negative space.
The resulting works were sweeping and beautiful, active across the entire visual plane and lacking symmetry.
Although the actual characters found in his art are very simple outlines, their clothes or props are usually very detailed.
The intriguing interplay and contrast between the complicated and simple characterizes his work.
Japanese art, as well a a revival in medieval art forms and early Renaissance work inspired designers at the end of the 19th century.
Wilde's drawings ran in numerous famous and popular publications of the time.
This led to widespread admiration and appreciate of his work in both the United States and throughout Europe.
Artists imitated and copied his work at every opportunity.
Currently, a great deal of this art is available as reproduction prints and posters.
Poster art evolved during the 19th century; it was first simply used as commercial advertising, and then changed into a completely different art form.
Even though the books of that particular era were being produced in black and white print, color posters were also being printed.
One colorful and arresting image was the focus of the leader of poster design.
If this image was advertising an event or a product, the accompanying text was usually very simple and quick.
He worked with powerful colors and simple shapes that were flat so that he would seize the viewers' attentions.
He used lines that were fractured and suggestive much like the Impressionist artists.
Because of this, his work is though to be the forerunner of the exemplary art nouveau design poster.
There was another illustrator, who is thought of as the creator of the more proper art nouveau poster, who used more fluid contours and much stronger outlines.
His is the familiar work seen full of willowy, young girls wearing loose clothing and letting their hair flow down from their heads, which then moves out into further artistic shapes.
An additional renowned art nouveau poster artist's creations were invariably characterized by sleek, thin proportions which included a full-body rendering of a woman.
Ornate, complex arrangements feature a range of influences, such as origami, Hebrew characters, Arab and Moorish embellishments, Byzantine mosaic work, Japanese wood cut examples and Celtic themes.
Books and reprints are available today for many of the turn-of-the-century artists.
You will also find there are dealers who will specialize in the sale of 19th, and early 20th century poster art.
These dealers can frequently be found in stand-alone stalls at big antique markets.
If you go, be ready to deal with prices from hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars for any original pieces that are in excellent condition.
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