Art Deco Style [Hardcover]

Bevis Hillier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 1997

Characterized by geometric shapes, stylized natural forms and the use of luxuriuos materials Art Deco originated in France and spread quickly all over the globe during the 1930s. Interest in the style was revived in the 1960s, partly as a result of the work of Bevis Hillier who recalls his triumphs and mistakes in writing the first book on the subject and co-organizing the Minneapolis exhibition in 1971. Stephen Escritt's text deals with recent scholarship and changing attitudes towards Art Deco, by charting its various worldwide manifestations he demonstrates that the stle (although retrospectively labelled a movement) had a coherance that lead to its international spread. The text is illustrated with examples from all over the world, ranging from liners to letterboxes and from radios to lampposts.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

If one had to select a single title from the recent spate of books discussing the Art Deco style, it should be this crisply written, magnificently illustrated volume. Indeed, Hillier is no stranger to Art Deco scholarship (Art Deco of the 20s and 30s, 1985), and his lively discussion of the turbulent era of the Twenties and Thirties quickly sweeps one back in time to a style that became easily identifiable and was adopted to one degree or another by all of the mechanical and fine arts. The illustrations, mostly in color, are beautifully reproduced. Art students in particular will benefit from this attention to detail. The volume concludes with a notes section, brief biographies of notable artists and designers, and a useful bibliography. Highly recommended for all audiences.?P. Steven Thomas, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'This richly illustrated book is the most comprehensive and wide-ranging study of the movement to date - a must for all deco-philes.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (August 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071482884X
• ISBN-13: 978-0714828848
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #230,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Art Nouveau

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!!, January 30, 1999

By 

Templar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art Deco Style (Hardcover)

I have about 60 books on Art Deco which I can now dispose of. This Book is the finest ever written on Deco. A real treasure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New and Improved Art Deco Resource Volume, May 26, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Art Deco Style (Paperback)

Bevis Hillier first enlightened the world about the Art Deco movement in his definitive volume of 1968: now he adds to the strength of that fine work by joining with co-author Stephen Escritt to create probably the most complete discussion of the fascinating and important movement that influenced all of the arts in the 1920s and 1930s.

Art Deco is a term applied to the reactionary period of reducing all decor to essentials in the wake of the devastation of World War I. The concept was to simplify all forms of design to geometric principals, doing away with unnecessary filigree and flotsam and maintaining a dignity of presentation. The movement influenced architecture in the rebuilding of Europe (moving into the USA rapidly as a pacesetter), book design, posters, stage decor, ballet, and even music. The manner in which each of these transformations played out (and there are many more than those listed) is the subject for this fine volume.

While the book may feel a bit wordy for the casual reader (see other picture book surveys of the movement without the scholarly approach), there are ample full color illustrations to explain the theses and the aspects of Art Deco influence. Both authors write with style and clarity, making this hefty volume well worth the investment of time to read. Recommended. Grady Harp, May 06

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Minimal pictures, April 20, 2002

By 

misterbeets "misterbeets" (Safe Harbor, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Art Deco Style (Hardcover)

From the perspective of someone who has served as a museum curator. Full of elegantly written recollections, anecdotes and stories about the well-known names, but not a catalog of pictures.