Post 10: Pop Art

Pop Art occurred in the 1960s. It was a reaction to abstract expressionism. Artists at this time decided to create art that was non-personal. They decided to use the industrial process and to put it into art.

Andy Warhol

Campbell Soup Cans

1962

Source: Here

Andy Warhol was a famous artist during this period. His Campbell Soup Cans shown above, were created in 1962. In these pieces, Andy uses an industrial technique in his art. This was a main characteristic of Pop Art. It was an example of commercial art, but it had another very important characteristic that was known during this period. It was non-personal. The subject was random and everyone was able to relate to it.

ROMWE Campbell Soup Print Sleeveless Vest

Romwe

2014

Source: Here

Today, Pop Art is still very influential. As a fashion blogger, I affiliate with many companies and recently I was roaming around one of my affiliate's site where I stumbled upon a t-shirt that showed off the influence of Pop Art and the piece by Andy Warhol. This piece was found on Romwe and it completely connects to Pop Art. Firstly, relating to Pop Art, the garment is non-personal. Secondly, the subject is random and everyone is able to relate to it. Thirdly, just like Andy Warhol, Romwe used the Campbell Soup Can on the top and used repetition.

Post 9: Cubism

The Cubism art period occurred between 1907 and 1919. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were the two artists responsible for the start of this art period. During this time, artists rejected the concept that art should be nature and that art should contain traditional techniques. 

Le Pigeon Aux Petits Pois

Pablo Picasso 

1911

Source: Here

The Le Pigeon Aux Petits Pois is a painting from the Cubism art period. It was painted by Pablo Picasso in 1911. The painting was stolen, but it has been documented. The painting shows the stylistic characteristics of the art period. Firstly, the piece shows the rejection of the "normal" art concept that has been perceived for centuries. Secondly, the art period was known for peices containing reduced and fractured objects in geometrics frames that emphasized the two dimension canvas. At the same time the geometric shapes showed shallow space and they overlapped one another. Coloristically, the paintings were mostly gray, black, and shades of brown.

Fendi

Fall of 2014

Source: Here

Cubism is a popular art period that inspires many people today. This piece from Fendi's Fall 2014 collection shows the influence of Cubism. Just like the piece by Picasso, the pieces have a pattern of geometric shapes that overlap. As well, the pieces use the colors that were dominantly used during the period which could also be seen in Picasso's piece.  

Post 8: Romanticism

The Romanticism art period occurred between 1789 and 1848. It was a reaction to the Rococo period and it completely rejected the period. Stylistically, the period was known for being emotional and showing reality.

Protrait of Maria Teresa de Vallabriga

Francisco Goya

Source: Here

The Portrait of Maria Teresa de Vallabriga on Horseback by artists Francisco Goya, was a piece painted in 1783. The painting is from the Romanticism period because of its characteristics. Firstly, paintings created during the period were "Baroque" like and artists used tenebrism. This piece shows the use of these two characteristics. Secondly, the piece is very emotional which was also often seen in this period.

Marchesa

Fall of 2013

Source: Here

 The Romanticism art period is often a source of inspiration for designers today. Marchesa's fall 2013 looks, were inspired by the Romanticism art period and the painting by Francisco Goya which is seen above. The designers claim they were inspired by this piece. This quote from Daily Mail "Highlighting Goya's influential style of dark shaded color applied in layers, the techniques used to craft this collection are derived from the same grandeur of exquisite detail and romance", shows exactly how the designers were inspired by the piece for their collection. The use of tenebrism was the main inspiration and the actual subject of the painting.

Post 7: Neoclassicism

The Neoclassicism art period occurred between 1760 and 1825. It started in Paris and was a reaction to the Rococo period. During this time, artists revived Roman and Greek art. Artists returned to previous aesthetics and went to academies to learn to draw like the Roman and Greek have. Each piece made was a historical painting and they were didactic. 

Marie Antoinette

Vigee Le Brun

1779

Source: Here

At the time, Marie Antoinette was one of the queens of France. She was an inspiration for many artists. This piece was painted by Vigee Le Brun in 1779 and it consists of Marie Antoinette as the subject. In this painting, a viewer could easily spot the characteristics of the Neoclassicism period. Firstly, Greek and Roman influence is spotted easily. There is a column in the background which was often found in those periods. Secondly, the colors are jeweled colors. Thirdly, Marie Antoinette has a soft angelic face.

Vogue Song on 1990 MTV Awards

Modanna 

1990

Sources: Video

Today, the Neoclassicism art period still inspires many people. In 1990 during the MTV Awards, Modanna used Marie Antoinette from the Neoclassical art period as inspiration. The whole video shows a Paris theme from where Neoclassical art originated from, but her whole look resembles Marie Antoinette whom is seen in the painting by Vigee Le Brun. Just like seen in the painting, Modanna wears a head piece that resembles the piece that Marie Antoinette wore and the type of pieces she was documented wearing. As well, Modanna wore a similar dress to the one Marie Antoinette is seen wearing in the painting. As well, Modanna looks pale just like Marie Antoinette.

Post 6: The Rococo

The Rococo period took place from 1700 to 1789. The Rococo showed a new shift artistically. It was the period known for its abrupt change. The subject matter changed to being romantic and more feminine. During this period, artists began painting loosely featuring indoor objects outdoors. Also artists used sfumato, pastel colors, and referenced mythology a lot in their paintings during this period. The Swing painting by Jean Frangonard is a painting from the Rococo period.

The Swing

Jean Fragonard

1767

Source: Here

The 1727 Online Store

Source: Here

The Rococo period is still an artistic period that inspires people today. While surfing the internet, I found an online store called www.the1727.com that is inspired by the Rococo period. All the clothes there available are inspired from this period and it could be easily seen. Just like the painting by Frangonard, the obvious characteristic seen here is the use of a feminine and romantic look. The other characteristics seen are the use of pastel colors and French influence.

Post 5: Northern Baroque

The Northern Baroque took place in the 17th century. This period was known stylistically for the use of tenebrism, movement, and fleshy subjects. During this art period, artists turned away from religious views to painting only still life or portraits. Artists during this period began exploring and with this they created pieces that resembled scenes of everyday life and reminder of how life is short.

Flowers in a Glass Vase

Rachel Ruysch

1704

Source: Here

During the Northern Baroque, some artists focused on flowers. Rachel Ruysch was an artist that focused on painting flowers. It was considered still life and it resembles that wealth and beauty does not last forever. It also resembles that life short. The painting Flowers in a Glass Vase by Rachel Ruysch show the stylistic characteristics found in the Northern Baroque period. It uses flowers to resemble the theme of nothing lasting for eternity. The flowers on the bottom are dying. Rachel also uses the colors of deep black, golds, and reds that are often seen throughout the Northern Baroque.

Dolce & Gabbana

2012

Source: Here

In 2012, Dolce and Gabbana used the Northern Baroque period as an inspiration for their designs. In the image seen below the Flowers in a Glass Vase painting, the Northern Baroque stylistic characteristics could be seen easily. Dolce and Gabbana used flowers are their subject with the colors of deep black, golds, and reds. The painting Flowers in a Glass Vase consist of the same colors seen in the Dolce and Gabbana collection. 

Post 4: Northern Early Renaissance Art

The Northern Early Renaissance took place during the 15th and 16th centuries. It differed from the Italian Renaissance dramatically. Stylistically this period was known for its structured, detailed, and symmetrical art that showed the importance of the artist and showed new details such as a focus on textiles. Most pieces were less Greek and Roman influenced and showed the use of chiaroscuro. Most art pieces showed of wealth and consisted of vibrant and intense colors. The key during this period was the also the artists signature on the art.

Altarpiece of the Patron Saints of Cologne

Stefan Lochner

1440

Source: Here

Alexander McQueen Dress

2010

Source

The Altarpiece of the Patron Saints of Cologne was painted in the 1440s by Stefan Lochner. In this piece the stylistic characteristics are easily seen. The painting is structured and detailed. There is an important of wealth seen in this piece through the rich detailed textiles and vibrant, intense colors. In 2010, the designer Alexander McQueen used this painting and other paintings from the Northern Early Renaissance in his creations. With the dress seen above and zoomed in on one piece, it easy to notice that this painting was used in the dress. There is a flag visible and a similar subject holding it.

Post 3: Gothic Art

Gothic Art roamed from 1150 to the 15th century and it is known as the "experimental period". This art period is most famous for the stained glass windows and the architecture. The stained glass windows were made from glass and they typically resembled religion. With this fact, these stained glass windows were found in cathedrals and churches. They consisted of a story with god and the color palettes often used were dark reds, dark blues, and black.

Stained glass window from St. Etienne church in Bourges

Source: Here

The Gothic Art period was also known for its architecture. As there was an advancement of technology, the architecture was changing during this period. There were narrow, pointed arches, the buttress, the flying buttress, the pilgrims, ribbed vaulting, and towers created. These were mostly found in the churches and cathedrals built at the time.

Beauvais Cathedral

Source: Here

Gothic dress

 Robert Panciera

Source: Here

Saint Mary's Studley Royal Yorkshire Interior HDR

Source: Here

Today, we are still influenced by Gothic Art. This "experimental period" has created rock music in the 1970s which portrays the main characteristic, darkness of the Gothic Art period and the rock music later created a gothic style in fashion. The influence of Gothic Art on fashion today could be seen in the gothic dress by designer Robert Panciera. Saint Mary's Studley Royal Yorkshire Interior HDR shows how todays digital art is influenced by Gothic Art. In the second image, you can find glass stained windows, pointed arches, the buttress, the flying buttress, the pilgrims, and ribbed vaulting. These were the same elements used in Stained glass window from St. Etienne church in Bourges and Beauvais Cathedral.

Post 2: Ancient Greece Art

Ancient Greece art was created between 3500 BCE and 100 BCE. During this time, the Greeks focused on sculptures and architecture. Most of these were made from bronze or marble. Within these two key objects, they focused on an idealistic, but mythological theme. With this, most of their art was created using mythological figures such as the gods they believed in. Some of the gods were Zeus, Aphrodite, etc.  Each god represented different things, but they all had strong meaning to the Greeks and these gods led them in strongly in believing in a place called Olympia. The first sculpture Aphrodite of Melos, shows the influence that gods had on their art.

Aphrodite of Melos

Source: Here

Erechtheion

Source: Here

Besides for this, the Greeks also focused on architecture. They created temples with columns that were proportional. There were three columns they focused on. These were the doric order, ionic order, and corinthian order. The second image of the Erechtheion shows the architecture of the Ancient Greece art.

Dolce & Gabbana

2012

Source: Here

In the Spring Summer 2014 fashion show, Dolce&Gabbana used Ancient Greece art as an inspiration for the garments. Dolce&Gabbana called this collection "Dreaming of Olympus". This quote is the first key element that connects this collection to Ancient Greece Art. In the Aphrodite of Melos and Erechtheion, it is seen how important gods and temples were to the Greeks. They believed this is what Olympia was like. In this collection Dolce&Gabbana expresses their view point on what they believe Olympia would of looked like. In the case, Dolce&Gabbana believed that the gods would of looked idealistic like the models on the runway.
This is not the only element that connects this collection to Greece art. The use of the coins in the gold dress shows the ancient Greece coin. The dress next to it, shows the architecture inspiration taken from the temples such as the Erechteion. The columns in the garment represents a key element that was used in the architecture of Ancient Greece.

Post 1: Egyptian Art

Egyptian art was created between 3000 BCE to 100 BCE. At the time Egyptians were fascinated with the afterlife and they strongly believed in rituals. With this fact, Egyptians created works of art, especially 3-D figures. The 3-D figures were made from clay, wood, metal, stone, etc. These sculptures were always either cubed or frontal, but they all represented the theme of the afterlife and power or a divine person such as a pharaoh. We can also often find use of animals in their art as well, such a cat that was looked as a powerful animal.

Funerary Mask of Tutankhamun

Source: Here 

On these 3-D figures, Egyptians often liked to use rich gem colors such as reds, oranges, turquoise, and gold. Each color had meaning. In the Funerary Mask of Tutankhamun, we can see exactly the use of these colors. For some pieces these colors were painted, but in certain pieces like the one above, consisted of valuable gems. The piece above consists of gold inlaid with glass and semiprecious stones. The piece weighs 24 pounds and is about 54 cm tall. 

Since Egyptians were strong believers of the afterlife and power, they created this funerary mask for a pharaoh that existed a that time. It was used to resemble power and the after life. It used precious colors to create this.   

2012

Source: Here

Today, we look at Egyptian art in a different meaning. The Egyptians looked at their art as a symbol of the afterlife and power. We look at Egyptian art as one of the most aesthetic art periods. In the fashion industry we often look back at art periods for inspirations. In this 2012 collection, it is easily noticeable that is has been inspired by Egyptian Art. The use of the color palette of gold, white, orange, and turquoise shows it all. It shows the richness of the colors that were used in Egyptian art to resemble power and the afterlife. However there is one more key element in this collection. The use of the masks on the models faces shows it all. These masks resemble the funerary masks that were used in Egyptian art. Just like the Funerary Mask of Tutankhamun, these masks were mimicked to resemble it. They consisted of a similar form and it definitely shows the beard.

To be honest, I love the Egyptian art period. It is one of my favorite art periods because it is very interesting and there is just a mystery that surrounds it.

Introduction to Blog

In 2012, I entered LIM College as a freshman pursuing a career in visual merchandising in the fashion industry. Now it is 2014 and I am a soon to be first semester visual merchandising junior. Throughout these two years a lot has changed in my life. I came into LIM knowing nothing, but these past two years have taught me a lot. The important concept I have learned is that art is fashion and fashion is art. Art is a way of expressing yourself and so is fashion. Both work together correspondingly and as a visual merchandising student, I must say art has impacted fashion dramatically. Fashion looks back to all the different stylistic periods, artists, and forms of art for inspiration and creation. Therefore you can see that the history of art really impacts our fashion and everything we see around us. As a fashion student, I have put together a blog for you to see how true this is. We might have never noticed this, but it exists in everything we see.