Art Deco (1920s-1940s)


Art Deco took its name, short for Arts Décoratifs, from the Exposition Internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes (International Exhibition of Modern  Decorative and Industrial Arts) held in Paris in 1925. As opposed to earlier styles  which emphasized the ornamental, the cluttered, and the flowery, Art Deco is  characterized by its use of geometric shapes (like rectangles, circles, sunburst  motif, triangles) and bright contrasting colors. It became popular during the interwar period, embracing technology and what it represented: progress, movement, and clean, sleek lines.