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 Modernism really took hold between the 1900s and the 1950s. It took place roughly at the same time as the World Wars. Because of all of the destruction and chaos from the wars, modernism was a chance to redesign the world into what we see today. It took advantage of the technological advances of the time period (skyscrapers, automobiles, trains, etc.) while still acknowledging the tradition of handmade and crafted items. Modernism looked towards functionalist designs, rejecting past historical designs that would often seem to choose ornamentation over function. The main architects of this time were Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies Van de Rohe, and Le Corbusier.  Modernism really took place in the form of the International Style during the 20s and 30s. All the main architects of the Modernist period were a part of this new style. They all had a core set of three principles, the expression of volume rather than mass, balance in designs rather than preconceived sy...

Protomodernism, like the other movements of it's time, was made in opposition of the Victorian Style.  Protomodernism really took hold in Germany, Austria, and Netherlands from around 1897 to 1959. The movement was interested in simplicity and the use of machinery and manufacturing. In this sense they were very modern; pulling away from the old way of designing and embracing the new technology that could be used in their designs. These new technologies led to the use of different materials such as plywood, aluminum, and bent beechwood. In Germany the movement was known as Deutshcher Werkbund. Similar to Art Nouveau, it looked towards nature for inspiration rather than historical precedents. But they did so in a different manner, focusing on nature in more geometric and linear ways. While some of their designs still looked to curves and movement it wasn't as free flowing and organic as some designs found in the Art Nouveau. A great example of this is the Postal Savings Bank Armc...

  While Art Nouveau was a big movement in Europe it was not as big of a movement in the United States. There were two main influencers that brought Art Nouveau to America; Louis Sullivan and Louis Tiffany. While Sullivan's work was very influential in the United States with his use of steel for skyscrapers, he was not tied to the Art Nouveau movement as much as Louis Tiffany was. Tiffany worked with mainly steel and glass and enjoyed using flowers as a basis for his designs. He did not like Cubism or Modernism but rather preferred the curvilinear aspects of Art Nouveau.  In the United States those that did followed the Art Nouveau wanted to keep the basis of design in nature rather than in historical precedents. This looked at the balance of functionality with aesthetics. While Sullivan did coin the phrase “form follows function” he was still conscious of ornamentation and detailing as it was an important part of Art Nouveau. In fact, he was known for his personalized style of...

  Art Nouveau was a design movement in the late 19th century that took place around the same time as the Arts and Crafts movement. While some of the prominent figures of Art Nouveau looked too others such as William Morris who were a part of the Arts and Crafts movement, they did not completely agree with it. Both movements rejected Victorian design and most historical precedents, but they were still very different. The Arts and Crafts movement did not appreciate industrialization and manufacturing; a lot of their focus revolved around craftsmanship. Art Nouveau on the other hand recognized industrial production and embraced it. It wanted to find a balance between functionality and beauty. Art Nouveau wanted to also balance functionality and beauty and did so through the implementation of nature in their designs. The architects and designers of the movement took examples from the world around them, using woods such as walnut, mahogany, and rose wood in their designs. This led to an...

To be able to fully understand the Arts and Crafts Era we must first look at the Victorian Period. The Victorian Period revolved around the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. This time can be described as somewhat eclectic because of the influence of a variety styles from around the world. At this time there was also a lot of urbanization and industrialization. This meant that mass producing various items lowered their cost, making them accessible to more than just the wealthy. It was a time for everyone to show wealth and so in design it was more about having statement pieces rather than having designs that worked well together. During this time, it was all about detailing and merging of various stylistic references.   Because of the Victorian Period’s unique way of styling and it is various references, techniques, and combined designs, the Arts and Crafts Movement focused on simplicity and functionality. The Arts and Crafts Movement took place during the Victorian Period ...