Tamara de Lempicka, Autoportrait, 1925

Private collection. This image: http://www.wikiart.org/en/search/lempicka/1#supersized-search-207973

So, what is Art Deco? The term wasn't actually coined until the late 60s, when it came to describe the new styles of décor and design in the 20s and 30s. This course explores this exciting design movement in its own context.

It takes its name from the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held in Paris in 1925. In many ways the explosion of applied, graphic and fine arts on display in this expo were a return to the same great creative energy which had held sway in the period before World War I: the style variously known as Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, or Modernisme. But there were now some key differences. Already discernible in 1925 was the effect of Cubism, a passion for machines, speed and jazz music, as well as a heightened love of the bizarre and exotic. All these influences would continue to grow over the ensuing inter-war period.

RJW F212214 Online freelance course (via Zoom)

A 5-hour short course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays (Saturday 8 & Saturday 15 January, 10.30-1.00).

£40 (individual registration); £64 (for two people sharing one screen).

NB The booking button above and the system to which it links on our site are an experiment, which we hope will be much better for you. Fingers tightly crossed that there aren’t any glitches, but just in case… you can also book via this form.