Monday Morning Museum: The Golden Age Of Illustration

The Golden Age of Illustration – 1880s to 1920s

The American "golden age of illustration" lasted from the 1880s until shortly after World War I (although the active career of several later "golden age" illustrators went on for another few decades). As in Europe a few decades earlier, newspapers, mass market magazines, and illustrated books had become the dominant media of public consumption. Improvements in printing technology freed illustrators to experiment with color and new rendering techniques. A small group of illustrators in this time became rich and famous. The imagery they created was a portrait of American aspirations of the time. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Aubrey Beardsley (see art example below), other illustrators of the golden age are Edmund Dulac, Kay Nielsen, Howard Pyle, Maxfield Parrish and Joseph Christian Leyendecker.

Isolde, 1895 by Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898)

The heroine in the Tristan legend. Isolde the Fair was the daughter of King Gorman of Ireland and the Elder Isolde, sister of Morholt (Marhaus). In the Prose Tristan, Isolde's father was called Anguin, while in Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, the king was called Agwisance. Isolde was known as Isolde La Beale ("Isolde the Fair"), and Isolde de Blonde.

Isolde was famous for been the lover of Tristan (Tristram). Tristan came to woo Isolde for his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, but the pair accidentally drank love potion, falling instantly in love with one another. Even though Isolde was married to King Mark, she secretly committed adultery with Tristan.

In all the stories, Isolde died of grief when Tristan was killed. There are too many versions on how they died to be told here.

Isolde's loyal companion and maidservant (or lady-in-waiting) was named Brangwain (Brangien, Brangain), who also happened to be her cousin. It was Brangwain who was responsible for the love potion.

Isolde should no be confused with two other women also named Isolde. Isolde had a mother who was also named Isolde, who was often called Queen Isolde or the Elder Isolde. The Elder Isolde was the wife of king of Ireland.

There was also Isolde of the White Hands, who come from Brittany, and who had married Tristan, when the hero was exiled from Cornwall. – TimelessMyths.com

Last Monday’s Art – Futurism
Next Monday’s Art – Gothic Art

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Monday Morning Museum: Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau – Late Nineteenth Century to Early Twentieth Century

Art Nouveau (French pronunciation: [aʁ nu'vo], Anglicised to /ˈɑːrt nuːˈvoʊ/) is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"…. it was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants but also in curved lines. Architects tried to harmonize with the natural environment. It is also considered a philosophy of design of furniture, which was designed according to the whole building and made part of ordinary life. - Wikipedia.org

In addition to Alphonse Mucha (see art example below), other followers of Art Nouveau are Aubrey Beardsley, Gustav Klimt, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Job, 1896 by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939)

This poster advertises a brand of cigarette papers called Job. The brand name is written in a kind of mosaic, which is partially obscured by the figure. It is also repeated in a clever 'logo' which adorns the background. The mosaic theme re-emerges around the border as a kind of built-in frame. This would have made the poster stand out among other images.

The woman's hair coils into impossible whiplash lines and ornamental spirals. It takes on the appearance of decoration. The plume of smoke, too, zigzags across the image as a kind of pattern. This use of realistic elements as decoration crops up frequently in Art Nouveau. Mucha took this to its extreme, using 'formless' materials such as hair and smoke to unleash radical new decorative forms.

Although created over a century ago, this is a very modern piece of advertising. The product itself hardly features in the poster. Even the brand name is hardly readable. Instead Mucha gives us a simple image of pleasure in the figure of the woman. Only subtle hints connect this pleasure with a product to be purchased. This may be one of the first advertising images to appeal to the subconscious mind, in a way that is commonplace today. – Victoria and Albert Museum

Last Monday’s Art – Art Deco
Next Monday’s Art – Arte Povera

Top of post: "Art Nouveau" graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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