Art Deco of the 20s and 30s

Art Deco of the 20s and 30s by Bevis Hillier examines one of the most significant design movements of the twentieth century. The 1968 publication was instrumental in establishing the term "Art Deco" in common usage, replacing the earlier designation "Art Moderne." The book traces Art Deco's origins through multiple cultural influences, including Cubism, Ancient Egyptian art, and Mayan aesthetics. It explores how the movement transformed various disciplines from architecture and jewelry to textiles and glasswork. Through detailed analysis of the 1920s and 1930s, Hillier documents how Art Deco evolved from its early experimental phase through its peak to its eventual decline. The text covers both the practical applications and theoretical underpinnings of the movement. The work stands as a definitive text on Art Deco, capturing the movement's essence as both a reflection of its era's technological optimism and a bridge between traditional decorative arts and modernism.

Readers praise this book as a comprehensive reference on Art Deco, with many noting the high quality of its 110 color plates and photographs. Multiple reviewers highlight the informative sections on architecture, furniture, textiles, and decorative arts. What readers liked: - Clear organization by medium/category - High-resolution images - Detailed examination of the period's social context - Inclusion of lesser-known Art Deco artists What readers disliked: - Some find the writing style overly academic - Limited coverage of Art Deco outside Europe/America - Print quality in some later editions appears diminished Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (8 ratings) Sample review: "The breadth of coverage makes this a go-to reference, though I wish it went deeper into global Art Deco influences. The images alone justify its value." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎨 The term "Art Deco" was actually coined by Bevis Hillier himself in 1966, revolutionizing how we discuss 1920s-30s design 💫 The book was the first major publication to recognize Art Deco as a distinct artistic movement rather than just a subset of modernism 🏛️ Art Deco drew significant inspiration from the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, leading to the Egyptian Revival style featured prominently in the book ✨ The movement got its name from the 1925 Paris Exhibition's official title: "Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes" 🗽 The Chrysler Building in New York, completed in 1930 and highlighted in the book, remains one of the world's most celebrated examples of Art Deco architecture