History Extra podcast Art Deco: everything you wanted to know
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Sep 27, 2025 In this enlightening discussion, historian Emma Bastin, an expert on the interwar period, delves into the captivating world of Art Deco. She shares how this glamorous style emerged, capturing the optimism of a post-WWI society. Emma explains the origins of the name, highlights key figures and British contributions, and discusses the influence of ancient motifs. Listeners will discover where to spot Art Deco today and learn about iconic designs and lost buildings, all while appreciating the movement's enduring legacy and charm.
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Modernity Over Ornament
- Art Deco is best defined by its modern look: bold geometry, strong motifs, bright colour and often man-made or glossy materials.
- It deliberately embraced commerce and industrial production to make art available to the masses.
An Interwar Global Movement
- Art Deco centres on the interwar era, emerging before WWI but flourishing after and peaking in the 1930s.
- The Second World War effectively ended the movement's mainstream momentum.
The Name Came Later
- The name 'Art Deco' was applied retroactively, popularised from references to the 1925 Exposition and later by critics in the 1960s.
- At the time practitioners used terms like 'style moderne' and didn't see it as a single unified movement.