Victorian Era Flashcards
Queen Victoria Dates
(1837-1901)
Until the 19th century, the middle-class was…
a small group represented by tradesmen, skilled craftsmen, and professionals.
In the 19th century, the aristocratic upper class…
began to lose its domination.
The new middle-class could now…
afford to decorate their homes because furniture, textiles, decorative objects were produced inexpensively and in large quantities.
THE DECORATIVE AND THE ORNAMENTAL BECAME
THE DOMINANT THEME OF ALL DESIGN.
In general, the ornamentation is not based on the usual suspects (Greek and Roman architecture) but rather
exotic designs and/or forms borrowed from human and animal figures, leaves, flowers, and complex florid arabesques.
VICTORIAN TASTE
Sense of fantasy
Favored vertical emphasis
Eclectic
Abundance of fabrics
Plethora of objects being displayed
Asymmetry rather than symmetry
Emphasis on interior
A sense of fantasy:
Re-creation of spaces in distant lands
Favored vertical emphasis in
proportions which resulted in unreasonably high ceilings and narrow and tall doors and windows
Eclectic
not to be confused with Eclecticism
Abundance of fabrics
Layers of draperies, table cloths, etc.
Sold by the yard
Plethora of objects being displayed
Interiors represent the social status of the people living there
Asymmetry rather than symmetry
(Picturesque, irregular floor plans)
Emphasis on interior
trim and plaster moldings
A love for pattern
Interior design became an official profession
CIVIL WAR (1861-1865): VICTORY OF THE NORTH
A NEW LIFESTYLE SHAPED BY INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
UNSETTLED CONDITIONS IN URBAN CENTERS
CITIES OFFERED JOBS
IMMIGRANTS
(1820-1860 POPULATION OF CITIES LIKE PHILADELPHIA, BOSTON, & NEW YORK INCREASED 797%)
INDUSTRIALIZATION
RAILROADS, MECHANIZATION OF PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTION OF IDEAS: JOURNALS, PATTERN BOOKS, ETC.
INTEREST IN OTHER COUNTRIES & CULTURES: OVERSEAS TRAVEL
VICTORIANISM:
IDEALIZED HOME & FEMINIZATION OF HOME SPACE
(1837-1901)
Unsettle urban conditions led to
HOME AS AN EXPRESSION OF PERSONAL TASTE AND ARTICULATION OF SOCIAL STATUS OF THE FAMILY
CONSUMERISM
RISE OF THE AMERICAN SUBURB
Industrialization led to…
EMERGENCE OF MIDDLE-CLASS MASS MARKET 1840S- 1880S
RURAL FREE DELIVERY ACT OF 1896
CATALOG-HOUSE BUSINESS
Victorianism led to…
WOMEN AS DECORATORS OF THEIR OWN HOMES
SPECIALIZATION OF SPACES
All of these historical events led to
VICTORIAN INTERIORS & FURNITURE
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts DATE + LOCATION
Philadelphia, 1871-6