Art and design historical movements
Art and Design Historical Movements
Renaissance (14th-16th centuries)
- Marked by a renewed interest in classicism, humanism, and naturalism.
- Inspired by the culture, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome.
- Renaissance clothing reflected social status and wealth; higher-ranking people often wore more complex garments.
- Artists of note include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli.
Baroque (1600-1750)
- Characterised by grand, dramatic, and emotional artwork.
- In fashion, this period is known for exaggerated silhouettes, bold colours and fine details.
- Artists known for applying the baroque styles include Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio.
Romanticism (1800-1850)
- Emphasised big emotions, individualism, and a love for the natural world.
- Art often depicted heroic battles, sublime landscapes, and narrative storytelling.
- In fashion, this era brought fuller skirts, corsets, and incredible ornate detail.
- Notable artists include J.M.W. Turner, Caspar David Friedrich, and Francisco Goya.
Impressionism (1860-1880)
- Known for capturing light, colour, and atmosphere.
- Often depicted common, everyday scenarios.
- In fashion, the impressionist era brought a shift toward lighter fabrics and simpler garments.
- Notable artists include Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas.
Art Nouveau (1890-1910)
- Featured flowing, organic forms often inspired by natural elements.
- In fashion design, brought flowing lines and contours.
- Famous artists and designers: Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Cubism (1907-1914)
- Known for its multi-perspective, geometric forms.
- Designers translated this style's geometric focus into bold, innovative fashion statements.
- Key artists: Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque.
Surrealism (1920s-1930s)
- Emphasised dreams, the subconscious, and the fantastic.
- In fashion, this period is recognised for its bizarre and extravagant designs.
- Dalí and Schiaparelli are noted for their surrealist work in the fashion world, along with artists like Salvador Dalí, René Magritte.
Pop Art (1950s-1960s)
- Used vibrant colours and bold graphic techniques to comment on popular culture and mass consumerism.
- Its bright iconography was used to create lively garments.
- Key figures include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Richard Hamilton.
Knowing these different historical movements and their impact on fashion and textiles can provide you with endless inspiration and give your work a rich contextual background for your designs.