The 19th Century saw an abundance of new technology which would not only change the world forever but also art and design.
Below is the first ever photograph. Taken by Joseph Niepce and it’s been labelled as “View from the Window at La Gras” I have also attached a rendered image of that same view today.
I myself have a but of a background in photography so I love to see it brought up in class. Photography changed the game in regards to documentation and eventually expression.
Matthew Brady, often named the first ever photojournalist is a great example of how photography revolutionised how we document things. He was able to document incredible moments such as the American civil war. you can see some of his work below.
Japonism is a term used to describe the craze for japanese art and design in the western world during the late 19th century.
A notable artist who adopted this japanese attitude toward art is Van Gogh.
Van Gogh viewed the japanese approach to art as a new lens to explore the medium. They taught him a new way of looking at the world. Adopting the use of flat colours and japanese iconography into his own work and even attempting to recreate japanese prints as shown below.
it was this adoption of Japanese art that began to pave a new perspective and approach to art around Europe, specifically Paris.
Art Nouveau came about in the Late 19th Century and was a deliberate attempt to create a new style in effort to free artists from the dominating style of the time.
it consisted of long organic lines and asymmetry, it was used mostly in architecture, interior design, glass and even posters.
Aubrey Beardsley is a great example of Art Nouveau as he approached with Europes new found appreciation for Japanese art, resulting in these beautiful, illustrative pieces.
It is quite a striking meld of inspiration from Japan and an attempt to create something new.
