French Art Glass

The MID CENTURY MODERN ART GLASS style is defined by its modern forms, biomorphic shapes, sensual lines and exceptional quality in materials and workmanship. Bright, intense, vivid colors are characteristic of this period. Forged in the furnaces of post war Europe and North America, the modern art art glass from this period ranges from sophisticated in form, to abstract in nature. Vases, vessels, lamps and figurative pieces are unique in style and distinctive in both execution and interpretation. The artists and designers from various studios in Europe all touched the genre with their style, individualism and artistic flare. Creating some of the most unique and sought after art glass pieces of this century. Highly collectible and prized the world over.

Glass Blowing. Hand-blown modern art glass. Video 1

Stained Glass Art Nouveau

It was Tamara de Lempicka's boldly coloured, highly stylized and erotic paintings that attracted my attention when I was a teenager and ultimately sparked my love affair with Art Deco. Characterized by classic Art Deco styling - angular forms, bold, bright colours and exuding an ultra-glam, super-sexy vibe - her paintings are by far the most recognizable of the Art Deco era.

Her life was as deliciously decadent as her paintings. She was born in Poland on May 16, 1898, married and moved to Russia at 16 and escaped the turmoil of the Russian Revolution at 20 with her Russian husband, Thadeus Lempitzski. They had one daughter, Kizette, who was frequently featured in her mother's famous paintings. They divorced shortly after de Lempicka learned of her husband's sordid affairs with a multitude of women.

She attended the Académie Ransom from 1925 to 1939, studying under the famous painter, Maurice Denis. Her work was first exhibited in Paris at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Less than two years later she won the first prize at the Exposition International des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux.

This catapulted her to celebrity status and all of Europe's high society coveted a portrait painted by the gorgeous and gifted Tamara. She led a scandalous(!) lifestyle and was rumored to have slept with many of her male and female 'subjects'.

She married Baron Kuffner, one of her patrons, in 1933 and together they escaped Paris to Hollywood in 1939. They moved to New York in 1943, where she began to experiment in abstract art and still life. A negative review of one of her exhibits, and the death of her husband in 1962, led her to abandon painting once and for all.

There was some renewed interest in her paintings during the Art Deco resurgence in the 1970s, however, de Lempicka had fallen into a depression and retreated from public life at this point. She moved to Mexico in 1978 and died there in 1980.

Tamara de Lempicka's paintings are more popular than ever today and she is considered to be one of the most famous and most admired of all the Art Deco artists.

To learn about the lives and works of other famous Art Deco painters visit Art Deco Artists

Antique American Art Deco octagonal shaped milk glass compot

Antique French Art Deco frosted glass 4 corner chandelier

The History of Glass Art
By Scott M Johnson

Rudimentary forms of glass blowing techniques have been recorded as early as 50BC. It was an art well promoted by ancient Phoenicians and Romans when they established one of the most prolific glassblowing centers in Germany during the first century BC! Glass art has come a long way since, with flamboyant artists like Dale Chihuly creating extravagant pieces for hotels and galleries.

If you ask any skilled glass artist, they will tell you that the best pieces of work can only be created by hand blown glass. These skilled craftsmen create astounding works like glass flowers, glass decor and other unique creations. Perhaps the most artistic venture was that of Dale Chihuly, when he created the glass flower lobby for the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the popularity of glass flowers soared.

Unlike any other form of glass art, glass flowers have the ability to be used as centerpieces and home decor because of their shape and color, without making a room appear too formal. How you want to use glass art for your home or work place depends on your own style. Some people like using single stemmed flowers while others like custom installations such as the one in the Bellagio.

Glass art is not restricted to flowers only. An online search will tell you that glassblowers have developed innumerable pieces of art with glass because of its durability and other physical qualities. Pieces as remarkable as glass flowers or glass figurines can only be created by hand blown glass, they are expensive because of the amount of hard work that goes in making each piece but glassblowers are striving to create budget friendly pieces as well.

Before purchasing glass art, you must ensure that you are not getting furnace blown glass art instead of hand made. Furnace blown pieces are less expensive and less durable. They also lack the beauty of a hand created masterpiece. It is always advisable to buy directly from the artist's workshop.

Whether you are looking for single delicate pieces or an installation that will make your home more beautiful, glass art is a wonderful solution.

Scott Johnson is a master glass artist who has been making glass flowers since 2003. His creations have been showcased in several galleries. Visit his website Jade Glass to know more about glass flowers and custom flower installations.

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Fenton Art Glass Frostberries On French Opalescent Rose Bowl