Art Deco: The Twentieth Century's Iconic Decorative Style from Paris, London, and Brussels to New York, Sydney, and Santa Monica

by Arnold Schwartzman

Arnold Schwartzman's stunning photographs of the finest examples of Art Deco from all over the world are collected here as a celebration of one of the world's most popular decorative styles.

Art deco is the 20th century's most glamorous architectural style, and the one that shaped popular ideas of modern luxury. With over 200 photographs, this is a visual celebration of this very popular style. Unlike most other books on the subject that tend to be regionally specific, this book highlights Art Deco buildings from all over the world, from Australia to South America, with an emphasis on London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Paris. Art Deco features much careful and exacting detail, and of special interest in this book are photos that zoom in on murals, mosaics, flooring, ironwork, and other ornamental flourishes.

Art Deco began in 1925 and quickly swept the globe becoming the style epitomizing Jazz Age glamor and sophistication. It drew from a variety of influences including ancient Egyptian, Moorish, and Mayan motifs but also modernist movements like Cubism, Fauvism, and De Stijl. Its influence was felt everywhere, from the skylines of New York to Shanghai, and it gained prominence not only with architects and designers but enjoyed a passionate following among the public as well.

Genres: Design, History

224 pages, Hardcover

Published February 12, 2019

About the author

Arnold Schwartzman is a director, designer and illustrator, born in 1936.

Reviews

[kerrycat · Rating 5 out of 5]

over 60 years worth of the author's personal photographs focusing on this style in various cities (and the Queen Mary) - what's not to love? don't skip the text, please - there are so many wonderful details you'll miss if you just flip through the photos. I was, of course, very happy to see my great love, the Chrysler Building, and the stunning creations on the QM, the ship my grandmother took with my infant mother and toddler uncle as a war bride from England in early 1946. a true gem.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curated from the personal collection of Arnold Schwartzman, these photographs highlight the details and flourishes found in Art Deco styling and architecture.

The collection is a bit of a hodgepodge based on the author’s travels but I appreciated the inclusion of places other than the typical New York, Paris, and London. There are some nice tidbits of information so it’s worthwhile to read the captions. These photographs are informal and mostly detail shots providing a more everyday look at the Art Deco style than a polished coffee table book.

[Servabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly, the term 'Art Deco' was only coined in the 1960s. The style influenced everything from transportation to fashion, jewelry, furniture and architecture. The new look did not appear out of a vacuum as there were numerous influences which included early precursors such as Mayan, Aztec, Chinese and Byzantine architecture.

It was a bit disappointing how the book started with saying Belgium has one of the most fascinating art deco architecture in the world, but it only gives Belgium an underwhelming 1 page splatter of architecture. Even Portugal spanned a few pages...

[Cameron Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arnold Schwartzman is a fellow who I would love to spend an afternoon with. His passion for art deco speaks to me, and his photos of deco details around the world delight me.
Each page (in sections divided by country) had something that made me "oooh".
A beautiful book for art deco enthusiasts.

[Martha Madigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly pictures of exteriors