I first looked at Katrina's blog post on the French Periods. I love that she chose Rococo like me. I like how she compared it to the "shabby chic" style we see today. I actually did my bedroom in high school in a shabby chic manner. It was good that she brought up we see this style being recreated a lot today but it is good to know where it came from. She also brought up the wall panels being prominent, and parlors and sitting rooms becoming the focal point for socializing. She made a lot of good points that I left out. She even broke down the cabriole leg of the furniture.
I also got the chance to look at Leslie's blog. She talked more about the history of the rulers which gave me a great refresher. She talks about King Louis XIV and how he became ruler at the age of 5 years old. Her talk of the palace de verailles was good too, I found that whole complex to be very interesting and would love to visit there. She also had very cool modern day applications going on with the home theaters.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Rococo Home Interior Design- modern interiors
This is a video I found interesting that shows tons of images of modern Rococo interiors. I love seeing my favorite style in interiors today.
French Periods
The French periods included some of my favorite styles in the history of art and design. These are some of the most lavish in history and included the Baroque style, Rococo and Neoclassic. Not only the lives of the royals were drama filled and interesting, but so were the furniture, interiors, and pieces of art. The style I am choosing to talk about is the Rococo style. Following the time of the Baroque, the Rococo had many unique characteristics. At this time, Louie the 15th was in control and \drove the country into bankrupcy. He was a disasterous leader where the main focus was on pleasure and frivillous money spending. This was a time for playful behavior which is reflected in the artwork. This was also the rise of the common people and comfortable and private living became more popular rather than the outstanding chateaux and palaces.
Where the Baroque style was very dark in color, the Rococo liked to use light colors and pastels, in their design, art, and architecture. It was very feminine, which most likely hints at why I like it so much. The feminine touch was influenced by the mistresses of the king. Everything was also much smaller in scale than the Baroque period.
Below is a picture of a Rococo interior that features these characteristics.
The furniture was more 3D in appearance. Furniture also included the cabriole leg. One of the most famous pieces of furniture was the Bureau de Roi made by cabinetmaker Jean Francois Oeben. Madame de Pompadour, the king's mistress was one of his biggest clients.
Another famous piece of furniture from this period was the tete-a-tete chair which was for gossiping and socializing.
Here are some modern images of Rococo interiors. I find it interesting that most are black and white with a few pops of color. The Rococo was so into the light, pastel colors, but the style of the furniture definitely represents the Rococo period, just with a modern twist with the black and white.
Where the Baroque style was very dark in color, the Rococo liked to use light colors and pastels, in their design, art, and architecture. It was very feminine, which most likely hints at why I like it so much. The feminine touch was influenced by the mistresses of the king. Everything was also much smaller in scale than the Baroque period.
Below is a picture of a Rococo interior that features these characteristics.
The furniture was more 3D in appearance. Furniture also included the cabriole leg. One of the most famous pieces of furniture was the Bureau de Roi made by cabinetmaker Jean Francois Oeben. Madame de Pompadour, the king's mistress was one of his biggest clients.
Another famous piece of furniture from this period was the tete-a-tete chair which was for gossiping and socializing.
Here are some modern images of Rococo interiors. I find it interesting that most are black and white with a few pops of color. The Rococo was so into the light, pastel colors, but the style of the furniture definitely represents the Rococo period, just with a modern twist with the black and white.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Peer Review for Spanish Renaissance
I first was able to read Melanie's blog post for this era. I think Melanie and I were on the same wavelength when we wrote our blogs because I noticed we had a lot of the same ideas. She talked about the plateresco and the desornamentado as well. She although, went on to talk about where they originated which was interesting. She also talked about the grille work. I like her pictures that she actually took herself in Madrid of the iron work over the windows and entrances. Good findings on the modern design with the iron work, nail heads, and leather. She is right, there is a lot of those features in our modern design today as well. I
In addition, I was able to read Rachael's blog post on the Spanish Renaissance. I thought it was good that she clarified the Spanish Renaissance was just another branch of the renaissance. I know I had some confusion with this when reading in the textbook. It may seem like that is something to know, but for someone who is not familiar with this art history, it helps to clarify. She also brought up the cathedral of Seville which I did not pay much attention to earlier. I can see the Gothic inspired features in the ribbed ceiling. She also displayed the monk's chair and showed a current model of the chair in outdoor patio furniture.
In addition, I was able to read Rachael's blog post on the Spanish Renaissance. I thought it was good that she clarified the Spanish Renaissance was just another branch of the renaissance. I know I had some confusion with this when reading in the textbook. It may seem like that is something to know, but for someone who is not familiar with this art history, it helps to clarify. She also brought up the cathedral of Seville which I did not pay much attention to earlier. I can see the Gothic inspired features in the ribbed ceiling. She also displayed the monk's chair and showed a current model of the chair in outdoor patio furniture.
Spanish Period
The Spanish era was a fusion of the Moors and Christian Spanish. It is known to be the most brilliant era in Spanish history. Two styles of design were used in this era, plateresco and desornamentado. In the plateresco phase, the work resembled that of a silversmith, being minute and delicate. It was also used on exteriors, patios, churches, public buildings, furniture, and accessories.
The other is the desornamentado, being unornamented. This was applied to court, ecclesiastical and public buildings. This was a reaction to to the plateresco style.
The above pictures show the difference between the two. You can see that the plateresco style is highly adorned while the desornamentado is just the opposite, being very bland with carefully defined proportions.
The Spanish period was highly known for having the most castles. It is interesting that just like in the Italian Renaissance, the start of attentiion towards interiors arose. I will particularly talk about some of the furniture. I will go on to talk about much of the furniture in this era. To start off, Spanish furniture, included such characteristics as simplicity and boldness, heavy proportions, crude carving, and rectangular shape. The most common material was Walnut, while Mahogany was introduced, and silver was used for ornamentation. Often, they used repetitive panels to create a pattern.
The most well-known chair from this period was the sillon de frailero. Some might know it as the Monk's chair.
In this chair you can see the simple rectangular form, leather seat and back, and broad front stretcher. The decorative nail heads and other qualities indicate this chair can be described as plateresque.
Spain had a lot of distinctive cabinet work called vargueno. This was to hold documents and valuables. Some were used as a desk with a hinged drop front.
This picture above is a vargueno puente stand. The bone and ivory inlays in this piece were often painted in bright red, blue, green and gold. The base, or puente part was often elaborately carved with sides that pulled out to support the drop front. Earlier I talked about panels being repeated to form a pattern. On the right, you can see the facade in four and three different sections. Drawers and cupboards were included. It is crazy to see this piece of furniture as mill work and cabinetry, and then think about the cabinetry we have today installed in our kitchens, bathrooms, etc.
Current Applications
Although this picture of an interior is actually in Spain, I love the Spanish Renaissance influence. All the nail heads in the door for ornamentation are beautiful and all the geometric shapes show a great influential purpose here.
This desk, which we see many of in homes today, includes a hinged drop front which reminds me of the vargueno puente stand.
(modern Spanish area)
The above pictures show the difference between the two. You can see that the plateresco style is highly adorned while the desornamentado is just the opposite, being very bland with carefully defined proportions.
The Spanish period was highly known for having the most castles. It is interesting that just like in the Italian Renaissance, the start of attentiion towards interiors arose. I will particularly talk about some of the furniture. I will go on to talk about much of the furniture in this era. To start off, Spanish furniture, included such characteristics as simplicity and boldness, heavy proportions, crude carving, and rectangular shape. The most common material was Walnut, while Mahogany was introduced, and silver was used for ornamentation. Often, they used repetitive panels to create a pattern.
The most well-known chair from this period was the sillon de frailero. Some might know it as the Monk's chair.
Spain had a lot of distinctive cabinet work called vargueno. This was to hold documents and valuables. Some were used as a desk with a hinged drop front.
Current Applications
(modern Spanish area)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Peer Review for Italian Renaissance
I first reviewed Flor's post on the Italian Renaissance. I enjoyed her description of wall finishes. This was a subject I had not paid much attention to at first. Residential walls were divided horizontally in to bands. The wall consisted of a base at the floor with the actual wall being plaster, was adorned with frescoes, or marble or wood paneling with wall hangings of leather or fabric. Tapestries were also hung. The floors on the other hand were made of wood and brick or tile were for the more sophisticated. Turkish carpets were possible, but not common. Ceilings wee lined with joists and coffered and sometimes adorned with beautiful frescoes. I am so glad Flor decided to focus on the residential interior. This was a part I did not talk about in my blog but was definitely an important aspect of the Italian Renaissance. So interesting to see when our field of study started becoming important and noticed!
I also had the chance to look at Sam's Blog. I was interesting to see that like me, Sam had a previous art class she referred to repeatedly throughout her blog. It is neat that we can remember little aspects from other classes to add to the knowledge we are obtaining from this class. She also, like me, had learned about the Medici family and included some thoughts out their importance in her blog. I learned about the Foudling Hospital for unwanted kids and orphans. This structure came from Brunelleschi and his invention of linear perspective, which shows the revelation of science and ideology in the Italian Renaissance. In this building, he included everything in cubes and goes to a common vanishing point, and was the first to put arches on top pf columns.In addition. beautiful current applications. I would love to have a wedding at either location!
I also had the chance to look at Sam's Blog. I was interesting to see that like me, Sam had a previous art class she referred to repeatedly throughout her blog. It is neat that we can remember little aspects from other classes to add to the knowledge we are obtaining from this class. She also, like me, had learned about the Medici family and included some thoughts out their importance in her blog. I learned about the Foudling Hospital for unwanted kids and orphans. This structure came from Brunelleschi and his invention of linear perspective, which shows the revelation of science and ideology in the Italian Renaissance. In this building, he included everything in cubes and goes to a common vanishing point, and was the first to put arches on top pf columns.In addition. beautiful current applications. I would love to have a wedding at either location!
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance can be described as a rebirth. It was a time when they went back to the Classic Greek and Roman orders. They were able to refer to the old style, yet create ideas that were completely new. In addition, there was a new challenge to furnish interiors, and there was no longer such a large focus on architecture. The Italian Renaissance was a complete reformation, not only in the arts, but in the categories of religion, science, and philosophy as well.
Michelangelo was one of my favorite artists of this time. Client relationships were a lot different in the Italian Renaissance. Artists, like architects, painters, furniture designers, and sculptors were hired on a long-term basis. Michelangelo, at a very young age, was hired by the powerful, wealthy, and well-known Medici family. He worked on numerous pieces for the Medici family at a young age. Lorenzo de' Medici was a business man, banker, and major patron of the arts. At this time, everyone in Italy, rich or poor were interested in the arts. Michelangelo was one of the most skilled ever, having many talents as a sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer. He was considered the best artist of his lifetime. Below is the Medici Chapel that was designed by Michelangelo for the Medici family.
Aside from Michelangelo and the Medici family, there is the Villa Rotonda.
The Villa Rotunda was designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects of the Renaissance. What makes this such a perfect design, is how Palladio took the sight and land around the building in to consideration. He wanted to emphasize the view. This is why the building has a Roman portico or porch on all four sides looking out on to the beautiful land, creating a spot to walk outdoors and become enthralled in to the landscape. Palladio did a fabulous job of taking in to account the natural setting.
What is also very interesting about the Italian Renaissance is this was the first time interior design really became important. Decorative moldings, elaborate ceilings, painted wall and ceiling decoration, elaborate fireplace mantels, and pilasters became influential to interiors. Floors started to become brick, terra-cotta tile, or marble in geometric patterns. Furniture became portable and sparse with inlays of ivory, lapis, marble, onyx, and other stones. Walnut was used for the finest furniture.
Current Day Applications
Michelangelo was one of my favorite artists of this time. Client relationships were a lot different in the Italian Renaissance. Artists, like architects, painters, furniture designers, and sculptors were hired on a long-term basis. Michelangelo, at a very young age, was hired by the powerful, wealthy, and well-known Medici family. He worked on numerous pieces for the Medici family at a young age. Lorenzo de' Medici was a business man, banker, and major patron of the arts. At this time, everyone in Italy, rich or poor were interested in the arts. Michelangelo was one of the most skilled ever, having many talents as a sculptor, painter, architect, poet and engineer. He was considered the best artist of his lifetime. Below is the Medici Chapel that was designed by Michelangelo for the Medici family.
Aside from Michelangelo and the Medici family, there is the Villa Rotonda.
The Villa Rotunda was designed by Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects of the Renaissance. What makes this such a perfect design, is how Palladio took the sight and land around the building in to consideration. He wanted to emphasize the view. This is why the building has a Roman portico or porch on all four sides looking out on to the beautiful land, creating a spot to walk outdoors and become enthralled in to the landscape. Palladio did a fabulous job of taking in to account the natural setting.
What is also very interesting about the Italian Renaissance is this was the first time interior design really became important. Decorative moldings, elaborate ceilings, painted wall and ceiling decoration, elaborate fireplace mantels, and pilasters became influential to interiors. Floors started to become brick, terra-cotta tile, or marble in geometric patterns. Furniture became portable and sparse with inlays of ivory, lapis, marble, onyx, and other stones. Walnut was used for the finest furniture.
Current Day Applications
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