Art Deco: A Guide to the Glamour, Geometry, and History of the Jazz Age
What is Art Deco?
Art Deco is the quintessential visual style of the 20th century’s “Jazz Age.” Spanning the 1920s and 1930s, this international movement embraced modernism and luxury, defined by its sleek geometric design and streamlined forms. It was a pervasive style that touched every area of life—from the towering architecture of skyscrapers and the elegant design of ocean liners to high fashion, furniture, and fine art.
Unlike the flowing, naturalistic curves of its predecessor, Art Nouveau, the Art Deco style proudly embraced the machine age. It symbolized speed, technology, wealth, and functional beauty, delivering a clean, precise aesthetic that perfectly encapsulated the promise of the modern world.
The Defining Characteristics of Art Deco
The sophisticated, instantly recognizable look of Art Deco style is built upon several key visual elements that prioritize order and clarity:
- Geometric Shapes: Designs frequently incorporate dynamic, repeated motifs such as the zigzag, chevron, sunburst, and distinctive stepped forms (resembling ziggurats or Mayan temples).
- Streamlining: A bold celebration of speed and modernity. This is reflected in the sweeping curves and elongated compositions used in posters for high-speed trains, cars, and luxurious transatlantic ocean liners.
- Luxurious Materials: The style suggests affluence through its favored materials, including polished lacquer, reflective chrome, glass, bronze, and graphic references to exotic finishes like jade and gold.
- Symmetry & Repetition: Compositions are often highly symmetrical and balanced, employing rhythmic, repetitive patterns to convey structure and stability.
🎨 Famous Art Deco Artists and Their Significance
Our collection features high-quality reproduction prints by masters who shaped the graphic look of this era, perfect for those seeking authentic Art Deco style for their interiors.
George Barbier
George Barbier stands as one of the most elegant voices in Art Deco poster art. Active primarily as an illustrator for fashion and theater, his work is characterized by bold, yet delicate, minimalist lines and vibrant coloring. His iconic travel posters, particularly those advertising luxury transportation like the Nord Express and the Étoile du Nord, set the standard for graphic design in the 1920s, merging fashion and modern transit into aspirational visions of European glamour.
Roger Broders
A master of the Art Deco poster, Roger Broders is celebrated for his glamorous, sun-drenched travel posters commissioned by French railway companies. Broders captured the idyllic allure of the French Riviera and the Alps, using bold color blocks and striking, simplified compositions. His posters epitomize the freedom and leisure of the era, perfectly translating the streamlined, luxurious feel of Art Deco directly into highly desirable vintage art prints.
Shop Art Deco Prints and Posters
Don't just admire the history—own a piece of the gilded age!
Explore our collection of fully restored, high-quality reproduction Art Deco prints. Our museum-grade posters are perfect for bringing vintage glamour and the precise energy of geometric design to any modern space. Find the perfect piece of Art Deco wall decor today.