Classicism / Historicism
In historicism, as a result of the fact that models from all artistic epochs had become available in large quantities, ostensibly for the purpose of aesthetic education but primarily for economic reasons, ornament became a subject of research in art history and aesthetics – without, however, losing its expressive function. From the late 18th century until 1889, the neo-Gothic, neo-Rococo, neo-Renaissance, neo-Baroque and neo-Biedermeier styles followed one upon the other – and overlapped – as the prevailing fashions in ornamental style. Manufacturers’ models, drawings and sample catalogues, as well as art magazines, now took the place of ornamental prints in providing ideas and designs for ornamentation. Ill. 12
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Ill.12.: Georg Pein
View of a fountain ,from the series : Ideen zur äußeren |
Bernd Evers, Rainald Franz
 print |