Each period of development of our society is characterized by some unique phenomena which took place in the world of art. Ancient times gave the world wonderful shapes and forms of antiquity. Renaissance presented us with a constellation of artists which changed the whole image of art and created unique masterpieces which became priceless. However, it is possible to determine some regularity in gradual development of art. Periods of history, which can be associated with some important events or stresses which influenced society, can also be connected with a blistering development of art. This mutual dependence is obvious. Having obtained new drive and impulse, people start their development looking for new forms as existing ways to express their feelings are too old fashioned and cannot satisfy demands of society any more. That is why, it is very interesting to observe and analyze artworks which belong to the most important periods of our history.
Taking this statement into account, it is possible to analyze art of the beginning of the 20th century. First of all, it should be said that it was very uneasy period of the history. Majority of states in the world had entered the new age with some old problems. That is why, beginning of the new century can be characterized by a search for decisions. One of them was industrialization. Being in the first place industrial process, it though, touched all spheres of life of society including art. Idea of industrialization supposed creation of new, more modern and functional mechanisms. That is why artists also tried to find some new solutions to old questions, hoping to find unique methods and create some new approaches. Each of them had its own unique point of view to changes which happened. The theme of threat and promise was actual as many people saw not only advantages in blistering development of industry. A great number of artists tried to show their own feelings and warn society in their works. Industrialization also triggered a lot of other processes. Urbanization was one of them. Mass building of plants promoted income of work force in cities and as a result they started their growth. This fact also influenced development of art as artists wanted their works to be actual and play into the urban interior. New forms and materials combined with new colors and shapes were peculiar for the beginning of the 20th century.
Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo was one of the artists whose works were influenced by all these processes. He is known to be a founder of the Century Guild of Artists, the organization which main aim was to save and preserve artistic trade and originality of craftsmen. That was the reaction to developing industry. This organization is also known as a forerunner of the Art and Craft movement. Its members were for craft and unique production. which was almost pushed out by industrial manufacture. Moreover, one of the aims of this movement was to unify different directions of art in order to create one unique phenomena, which will be able to answer challenges of modern age. This attempt can be seen in works of Arthur Mackmurdo. Analyzing the chair made by him, it is possible to state some facts.
First of all, it is rather clear that this chair is an attempt to combine old tendencies with the new ones. The legs and the seat of the chair are made in traditional way, though its back shows new approach to art, peculiar to the beginning of the 20th century (Fleming 745). Complicated ornament of the back underlines development of industry and crafts which was promoted by industrialization. The artist embodied his idea of unification of art. This chair can be taken as a symbol of processes which happened in the art of the 20th century. This chair would be suitable to some interior of the new century, though it still reflects past events. This combination of elements helps to create the whole image and understand the epoch better.
To understand peculiarities of the art of 20th century better and analyze all important tendencies, it is possible to look at another example of the art of this age. It is another chair made by Christopher Dresser. This artist is usually considered to be the first industrial designer and modernist. “Dresser addressed the constraints as well as the strengths of the machine in the manufacture of domestic utilitarian objects” (Oshinsky para. 1). Moreover, inspired by culture of Japan, he tried to add some Japanese motifs to his works. Nevertheless, the most important fact is, that he also was influenced by such phenomenon as industrialization. He tried to convey the atmosphere of his age in objects he created, giving them urbanistic and even aesthetic character (Woodham 7). Analyzing the chair made by him, it is possible to outline some peculiarities of this artwork. The first thing which strikes the viewers eye is directness of chairs lines. Direct legs and direct back of the chair reflects peculiarities of the epoch. The artist showed peculiarities of the era, underlining predominance of these forms in art and life of industrial age. Moreover, the chair is made from cast iron. The artist rejects traditional materials (Trench 457) used for furniture, choosing the material which can be one of the most important symbols of the beginning of the 20th century.
Analyzing the art of the beginning of the 20th century, it is possible to compare these two chairs by different authors in order to see better diversity of styles and directions which existed at that period of time. The chair made by Mackmurdo is a compromise. It combines two different styles peculiar for different epochs. Traditional materials and legs contrast with elaborated and modern back. At the same time, the chair made by Dresser can be called a representative of new style. Materials and direct lines underline blistering character of that period of time. Moreover, some traits of modernism can be seen in this artwork as Dresser is known to one of the pioneers of this direction.
Having analyzed peculiarities of the beginning of the 20th century, it is possible to make some conclusions. This period of time was very prosperous for development of art. Changes, which industrialization brought, altered traditional state of affairs and gave new challenges to artists. Great amount of new materials, instruments and styles promoted appearance of different approaches in art. Comparing two different artworks which were made under the influence of these shifts, it is possible to see how differently artists reacted to these changes. Being absolutely different in shapes and materials, these two chairs still characterize the epoch of industrialization and urbanization as they both have features which appeared under the influence of this phenomenon.
Works Cited
Fleming, John. The Penguin Dictionary of Decorative Arts. New York: Viking Adult. 1990. Print.
Oshinsky, Sara J. “Christopher Dresser (1834–1904)”. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. 2006. Web.
Trench, Lucy. Materials & Techniques in the Decorative Arts: An Illustrated Dictionary. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. Print.
Woodham, Jonathan. A Dictionary of Modern Design. New York: Oxford University Press. 2004. Print.