Modernism and Art Deco

Although the "Art Nouveau" style was to dominate right up to World War I other styles were being introduced from the early 1900s which rejected the complexity of "Art Nouveau" simplifying and modernising in a style which placed more emphasis on the prime object subject.

An early leader in this new style was an Italian, Leonetto Cappiello who in 1906 produce his famous Maurin Quina poster

About the same time artists from the UK, Austria and Germany were adopting this "modernistic" approach to their work, a classic example of which can be found in a poster submitted by Lucien Bernhard for a competition organized by Preister Matches. His simple design of 2 large matches supported by the Brand Name was universally acclaimed.

Maurin Quina 1920 Poster

The advent of War brought a new role for the poster, one which was to have an everlasting effect, Propaganda.

Posters were used extensively during the war years, both 1st and 2nd World Wars and afterward for recruitment, fund-raising and in creating anti-enemy propaganda.

I Want You For U.S. Army

Soon after World War I ended poster evolution entered another phase of change with the introduction of Cubism, Futurism, Dada and Expressionism. Shapes were simplified and streamlined and curved letterforms were replaced by sleek, angular ones.

These new styles were popularly known as "Art Deco", a term derived from the Decorative Arts Exposition of 1925 in Paris.

Art Deco Poster, Central Park Scene, New York City Art Print

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