Prague 1900
Poetry and Ecstasy
Reaktion Books (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 25. August 2000
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-90-400-9391-3 (ISBN)
Description
This illustrated work introduces the world of "fin-de-siecle" Prague. Around 1900, that city's artists and artisans began to develop an ornamental language inspired by the contemporary revival of Czech culture and influenced by Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, and the Vienna Secession. To begin with, lyricism and poetic symbolism dominated the visual arts. Jan Preisler, one of the most important figures of the time, created sensual paintings and sculptures based on themes connected to the writings of such Czech authors as Zeyer and Brezina. Other artists such as Kobliha and Hlavacek focused on turbulent forms, dramatic expressions of torment, and the macabre. In the applied arts, exuberant floral and vegetal motifs were gradually transformed into geometric patterns. This book charts the effects of the emergence of modernism and the search for Czech national identity on both the fine and the applied arts, as well as on architecture, music and literature. The text also includes a wealth of illustrations of interiors, architectural and sculptural details and documentary photographs. Biographies of the most important artists are provided, as well as a full chronology of artists and events.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 290 mm
Width: 245 mm
ISBN-13
978-90-400-9391-3 (9789040093913)
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Schweitzer Classification