Graphic illustrators near the end of the 19th century were using all the important elements of design, shape and pattern. The individual who forever altered the way that graphic designers examined a page and utilized those features was a mere 26 years old when he passed away. Aubrey Beardsley made his mark on 19th century aestheticism with his unique expression of the art nouveau style. His style has made several resurgences in the modern age.
One of the most famous and infamous literary figures of this time period was Oscar Wilde, who was a patron of various artistic styles, he put forth that art was an end unto itself and neither moral nor ethical judgments should be put upon it. One of Wilde's most peculiar and controversial stories was illustrated, at his request, by this young man of whom we have been speaking. This youthful illustrator employed dark eroticism, beautiful seeping lines, and patterns with intelligent distortions to decorate this story.
The artwork he did is marked by stark juxtapositions between light and dark. So too, are the expansive and elaborate borders which make use of intricate patterns of black line on a white background. His page is typically asymmetrical; movements are developed with big, not broken sinuous curves. While the characters in most of his drawings are just simple outlines the objects they are holding, like their clothing or hair, are most often complex. The power of his work is perfected by the inter-relationship between the complex and the simple.
Many artists in the 1800s were influenced by items which were being imported from Asia, in addition to a focus on Renaissance decor and medieval artworks. The young designer's work was copied far and wide in Europe and over the pond in the United States, thus giving him great fame from his illustrations, which appeared in many popular publications. It is still possible to find these works reproduced as lithographs and posters, and gracing the walls of people from all walks of life.
Poster art developed slowly from a form of commercial advertising to its own artistic genre during the late 19th century. As opposed to the typically black and white books of the period, posters were frequently produced in color. The leaders of most poster designs started focusing on a large, eye catching image with bright colors. Product information was kept as minimal as possible. Keeping his shapes simple and flat and his colors vibrant, he knew that simple design was the way to direct the viewer's attention to the work. These lines could be called hesitant, and were sometimes fractured, a bit like an impressionist would create. Because of this, his work is though to be the forerunner of the exemplary art nouveau design poster.
There was another illustrator, who is thought of as the creator of the more proper art nouveau poster, who used more fluid contours and much stronger outlines. Slender young female figures in flowing, classically-inspired gowns and long, loose hair was the mainstay of this style. Mythic creatures and other fantasy motifs were often incorporated into these illustrations. There was another popular art nouveau poster designer who created graceful, thin strips. On one of them there was typically a head to toe rendering of a lady. Many distinctive art forms can be seen in these designs which borrow elements from Arab and Moorish decoration, Hebrew calligraphy, the mosaics of the Byzantine as well as Celtic motifs and wood cuts from Japan.
There are countless books which reproduce these artworks from the late 1800s, and detail more about how each artist approached their work. You will also find there are dealers who will specialize in the sale of 19th, and early 20th century poster art. Quite often you can locate them at the larger international style antique shows in booths they've set up. An original work in good condition will generally set you back hundreds or thousands of dollars.
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