History of Floral Design
How has Romans influenced us today?
- "Dies Rosationis" for dead where families gather at a rose bedecked grave, similar to how we put a flower on someone's grave. - Throwing rose petals for bride to walk on (foot of flower petals). -"Sub Rosa" legal term used today from custom of hanging a wreath of white roses from the ceiling and all things spoken beneath it were to be kept secret. - first concept of greenhouse. - mosaic basket of flowers found in Hadrian's Villa now found in Vatican museum - precursor of today's flower arranging.
English-Georgian Period 1714-1900
- Do own thing - passionate about flowers - designs of single flower type or color family - houses become smaller, flowers are brought in for fragrance - bunched into sturdy containers - some design not much - "Tuzzy-muzzy" or Nose Gay - Men and woman carried these bouquets - flowers provided relief from odor and was also believed to keep away disease. - could be pinned on - some designs were put in vases on the table when you sat down. - Artians: wedgwood (ceramics) and Chippendale (cabinetry)
Basis of "Western Design"
- European mass - Western (American) Line-mass - Japanese Line
language of flowers (Victorian Era)
- Gave meaning to flowers - Red Roses: passion, devoted love, while pink more represents 'gee I really like ya' - White roses: virtue and chastity - Yellow roses: friendship and devotion - Ivy: fidelity - Gerbera daisy: innocence and purity - Pansy: thought - Daffodil: regard - Iris: sending of a message - Purple Lilac: first emotions of love
Flemish
- Holland and Belgium - Tulip not native to Holland (originated Turkey) - flowers out of season show up in paintings - new scientific/ botanical/ horticultural discoveries (chrysanthemums, cacti nasturtiums, sunflowers by merchant marines who traveled world) - Terra Cotta - Copied Chinese porcelain - Fruits, nuts, shells, nest flowers showing up at bottom of vases and paintings. - greenhouse flowers - porcelain vases in blue and white (delftware) - Ambrosius Bosschaert
Opportunities in Western Design
- Mass - Line-mass - Line
French Empire
- Napoleon takes over shows in design - femininity in art is out; mainly man in charge - everything reflects him "Empire" - military symbolism - designs are massive in size and weight and symbolic - triangular - "And all had to have a bee, an Empire star, lions, beehives, and don't forget the letter N." - Colors: yellow, gold, red, and blue
Ikebana design feature 3 primary elements or line placements:
- Shin: (Heaven) dominant over all - Soe: (Man) man existis in plane between heaven and earth - Hikae or Tai (Earth)
Early America 1620-1720
- colonists produced plants for food or medicinal properties - arranged homes with flowers - arrangements copied from English Georgian and French Empire periods - simple mass forms with numerous colors
Middle Ages 475 A.D. to 1400 A.D.
- dark times "The dark Ages" - tapestries from this time - horticulture focused on food and medicinal herbs - church thought offering flowers to Gods was blaspheme - economically bad time, people sick - nothing new
Victorian Era 1820-1901
- establishes rules for flower arranging - flowers still large and ugly - Major Tuzzy-muzzy era!!! - women grew, preserved, pressed, and painted flowers. - made artificial flowers from shell, feathers, paper, and hair. - floral design was elaborate and overdone - large arrangements flowers were large or massed together - trailing material added for romantic look
Roccoco
- girly - flowery - delicate - subtle colors: cream, sage, powder blue - lots of porcelain
How are we influenced by the French Empire designs?
- large designs - podium arrangements - weddings - ceremonies still use same style
Renaissance 1400 A.D. to 1600 A.D.
- period of rebirth for the arts; from Italy to through Europe - gardening interest spreads in Europe - Book "Flora Overo Cultura di fiori" - Flowers appear in paintings as symbolism. - see wreaths and garland, pinecones - arrangements in vases very large flowers cannot see stems, compact, conical - arranged as sevens or singularly. - 7 flowers, 7 stations of the cross, 7 fully opened columbine flowers, 7 gifts of the holy spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, true godliness and holy fear. Rose- sacred or profane love Lily- chastity and fertility arranged in sevens - floral design becomes profession paid by wealthy patrons and government -Christmas wreath
Colonial Williamsburg 1740-1780
- renowned for colorful arrangements in finger vase and flower bricks - English and European roots in the Georgian and French designs became more symmetrical and sophisticated. - Fan and Triangular-shaped -flower arrangements lightly grouped at top, 11/2 to 3 times the height of their containers.
Greek 600-146 b.c.
- used vases and containers not to hold flowers. This influence design of today. - flowers and petals scattered on ground at ceremonies - Garland made up of greenery, flowers, and herbs in hall for special events - Professional wreath and garland makers hired to make them as gifts and decoration - wreath was symbol of allegiance and dedication; awarded in honor to athletes, poets, soldiers, and heroes.
Cornucopia (horn of plenty)
-Greek - baby Zeus - Almathea - Horn - Symbol of abundance - carried in an upright position and filled with flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs and given as gifts.
Baroque 1600-1775
-Lavish design - big heavy containers - not for church and nobility only - asymmetrical massed, overflowing - contrast - Italy, Holland, Belgium - Hogarth: (18th century English painter) S curve design
Variation of styles within schools of Japanese floral design
-Rikka, Rikwa: massive, formal temple art form Seika, Shokwa, Seikwa: simpler, for the home (tea ceremony). View at eye level. -Nageire: tall vase design with curving lines place above eye level (view from below) - Moribana: low bowl, more contemporary (less symbolism). Place below eye level (low table) - Interpretive, free style
Byzatine 320 A.D. to 600 A.D.
-colorful, not much new in design - continued roman style of garlands and body decor - symmetrical, conical, tree style design - fruit was actually designed - espalier: tees and plants along walls - sisal: wrapped around cone form with wire.
Asian influence
-focused on line, simplicity, and symbolism - all about nature - Chinese used for religious ceremonies -their arrangements were large and few variety -Japanese style carefully planned and stylized - "Ikebana" - Japanese art of floral design (means to arrange flowers)
Japanese floral art schools
-originated with emissary to China in 600 A.D. - Brought back buddhist religion and the special form of temple floral art - retired from public service and became first master teacher (Ikenobo school)
Romans 28 b.c. to 325 a.d.
-roses grown for oil, perfume, jam, and decor for feasts and festivals. - benefited from trade with Egypt and Greece - used ideas of other countries - garland makers were flower arrangers of the day - great need of gardeners - gardeners developed more flower availability with bathhouse and first concept of greenhouse.
European vs. Japanese Impact
1. Mass emphasis: flowers and colors -impact for overall view - mainly symmetric - mainly rounded 2. Line emphasis: symbolism - impact in appreciating individuals - Asymmetric - Mainly triangular
Egyptian Period
2800 to 28 bc - tomb paintings, mosaics, vase decor -royals used flowers most -decor in temples and banquet tables - given as wreaths for guests - used in religious rituals (death) -to honor pharos, kings, and Gods. - primary colors: red, yellow, blue
French Period 1600 to 1814
Baroque Roccoco Empire The Louies!! - reign of Louix XIV, XV, XVI - Art Aristocraciacy - Chateau Versailles - L' Orangerie - Topiary - Hot houses, indoor plants, massive decor - mound plants inside for decor
How are we influenced by English Georgian designs?
Etsy style earrings are still made, still use the word - wedding bouquet
Baroque (In floral design)
Mistresses directed design with no thought to arrangement or color groupings - designs more informal and feminine - softening of colors - open design, asymmetric curves used
Renaissance Commonly used Flowers
Olive Daisy Lily Rose Bell Flower Carnation Laurel Ivy Lily of the Valley Poppy
Byzatine Commonly used Flowers
Olive Honeysuckle Iris Fruit Narcissus Laurel Ivy
Roman Commonly used Flowers
Olive Honeysuckle Lily Iris Narcissus Rose Laurel Ivy
How are we influenced by Victoria Era styles?
They are the number one influence in weddings.
English Georgian Period Commonly used Flowers
clover Passion flower snowdrops veronica hibiscus scabiosa geranium
How has Greek influenced us today?
cornucopia, garland, wearing flowers in hair as headpieces (i.e., weddings)
Greek Commonly Used Flowers
honeysuckle Hyacinth tulip lily marigold larkspur
Roccoco Commonly used Flowers
lilies acacia hollyhock peony Stock flower larkspur tulips
How has Egyptians influenced us today?
low bowls buitimyer
How are we influenced today by Japanese floral art?
many Japanese floral art schools have diverged since the beginning and all continue today.
Lotus
most sacred of Egyptian flowers - symbol of Ra (sun God) - Ramses and Isis in afterlife
Egyptian Commonly used Flowers
poppy lilly narcissus rose water lily
Victorian Era Commonly used Flowers
roses fruit lilies stock flower carnation peony ivy narcissus poppies
Flemish Commonly used Flowers
sunflower hellebore hollyhock peony tulips Stock flower
Williamsburg Commonly used Flowers
sunflower hollyhock peony snapdragon lilac Stock flower ornamental grasses feathers
French Empire Commonly used Flowers
sunflower snapdragon hollyhock peony tulips Stock flower ranunculus
Natufian culture
used ritually in graves
How are we influenced today by Roccoco design?
we use the same softness and colors.
How are we influenced today by Renaissance?
wreaths lavish design