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Modern Decorative Art

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Creator: Victor Vasarely
Victor Vasarely Op Art Framed Serigraph
Located in New York, NY
Op Art serigraph from Hungarian/French artist Victor Vasarely, signed in lower corner and numbered 32/250. The original work is professionally framed in a matte brushed aluminum frame.
Category

20th Century American Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Victor Vasarely Geometric Print with Purple Frame, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Colorful abstract lithograph with iconic geometric motif by Victor Vasarely, American, 1970s (Signed and numbered 137/250). Vasarely is widely considered to be the father of Op Art.
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

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He initially experimented with various styles, including Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, but his interest in geometric abstraction grew stronger over time. In the 1930s, Vasarely moved to Paris, where he continued to explore geometric patterns, lines, and shapes in his art. He believed that art should not merely imitate nature but should create its own language of forms and colors to engage the viewer's perception actively. This philosophy led to the development of Op Art, a movement that emerged in the 1960s and focused on creating optical illusions and visual effects through precise geometric patterns and colors. Vasarely's artworks often featured meticulously arranged geometric shapes, giving the impression of movement and three-dimensionality. He employed various optical tricks, such as the juxtaposition of contrasting colors and the use of repetition, to create an illusion of depth and visual dynamism. His artworks can evoke a sense of visual vibration and often challenge the viewer's perception. Throughout his career, Vasarely's influence extended beyond the art world. He believed in the democratization of art and wanted to make art accessible to a wider audience. He embraced mass production techniques, creating what he called "multiple originals" or "serigraphs" (a form of screen printing). These serigraphs allowed him to produce multiple copies of his artworks at affordable prices, making them more accessible to art enthusiasts. Vasarely's artistic legacy continues to be celebrated around the world. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums, and he remains an influential figure in the fields of Op Art and abstract geometric art. He passed away on March 15, 1997, in Paris, leaving behind a vast body of work that continues to captivate audiences and inspire artists to this day. About Rosenthal: German porcelain manufactory Rosenthal was originally founded as a ceramics-painting studio by Philipp Rosenthal Sr. (1855-1937) in 1879 at Schloss Erkersreuth in Bavaria, near the Czech border. Its first highly popular product was an ashtray inscribed with the words “Resting place for lit cigars.” In 1890, the company moved to the neighboring hamlet of Selb and, a year later, began to manufacture its own porcelain, since white porcelain was, at that time, in short supply. Rosenthal’s first complete table service was called Empire; it was exhibited along with other lines at Paris’s Exposition Universelle in 1900. With the dawn of the 20th century, Rosenthal began producing porcelain tableware and services formed and decorated in the latest styles, like the Jugendstil Botticelli (1903), the Art Nouveau Darmstadt (1905), and the all-white Maria (1916) lines. 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Modern decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern decorative art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative art, popular names associated with this style include sicis, Louise Heighes, Atlasproject, and Peter Keil. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35 and tops out at $191,803 while the average work can sell for $2,184.

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