The Art Deco Movement was a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and its accompanying mass production, which resulted in bland and uninspired designs that lacked individuality. 

The movement began in France around 1910 and spread to other countries including the United States, Germany, Italy and Great Britain.

The defining characteristics of art deco include geometric forms such as triangles or rectangles; stylized animals such as birds or lions; patterns inspired by nature like:

  • leaves or flowers,
  • bright colors such as reds, blues, and greens,
  • reflective materials such as chrome plating,
  • asymmetrical designs with uneven lines instead of straight ones (like those found on buildings),
  • bold use of light sources such as chandeliers hanging down from ceilings.

The Origins of Art Deco

The origins of Art Deco are in the Art Nouveau movement, which was popular from 1890 to 1910. The style features flowing lines and organic shapes inspired by nature. 

The name “art deco” comes from French for “decorative art,” but it’s also used to describe furniture or architecture that uses this style.

In the 1920s, artists began using geometric shapes to create patterns in their paintings and sculptures–a technique known as cubism. 

They also started using bold colors like reds and blues instead of pastel shades as they had been before. These changes helped develop what we now think of as an “Art Deco” look!

Notable Art Deco Artists

  • Tamara de Lempicka,
  • Erté,
  • Paul Poiret,
  • Jean Patou and Jean Dupas.

Influences of Art Deco

The Art Deco movement was influenced by a number of artistic movements that came before it. The influence of Cubism can be seen in the geometric shapes and bold lines used by artists to create their pieces.

Artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were pioneers in this style, which was popularized during the early 1900s.

The Fauvist movement also had an impact on Art Deco artists’ work; Henri Matisse is one such example who used bright colors and abstract shapes to create his paintings.

His work helped pave the way for future generations of artists who would use these same techniques as inspiration for their own creations!

Futurism was another big influence on these artists; they often incorporated elements from this style into their works as well. For example, using mechanical devices such as airplanes or automobiles in paintings instead of traditional landscapes or portraits (which were more common subjects at that time).