Visual & Decorative Arts Blog

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an artist in the 19th century. More than this, he was a multi-talented artist-craftsman: painter, architect, furniture designer; the list goes on and on. His art was incredibly influential, and a lot of the motifs, patterns and principles of his work are still popular with today's audience and artists. 

Although the renowned artist Erté died over 20 years ago, his art is still celebrated worldwide. Part of what makes him so amazing is that he was so widely talented: not only did he design costumes and sets for theatre, opera, and film, but he also created beautiful Art Deco fashion, jewellery and fashion illustrations. Because he had such immense gifts, it is no wonder that his work is still influential today.

Tamara de Lempicka was one of the most celebrated, and notorious art deco artists. Born in Poland in 1898 she lived in Russia before escaping the Russian Revolution to settle in Paris in the late 1917. Once installed she embarked on a series of paintings that guaranteed her a place in the glamorous society of 1920s Europe and America.