History of Floral Design

Objectives… To become familiar with the history of floral design. To understand the origin and development of different styles.

Where do we see evidence of floral design in historical situations? Think About It… Where do we see evidence of floral design in historical situations?

Significance of Flowers… Used throughout civilization Religious significance Personal adornment Addition of beauty to dwellings

Significance of Flowers… Special Occasions Symbols of love, friendship, sympathy, and celebration Language of flowers

Why the History of Floral Design? To be able to create arrangements depicting historical style or design period. To understand the impact of earlier cultures on modern designs.

The Classical Period Byzantine Period Egyptian Period Greek Period Middle Ages Roman Period

Egyptian Period (2800-28 B.C.) Styles were simple and orderly Wide-mouthed containers or bowls held flowers or fruit Wire loops or holes around container rims held flower stems Regimented rows and repetition of identical floral groups created patterned designs Primary colors dominated

Greek Period (600-146 B.C.) Grace simplicity and symbolism characterized the Greek design Did not arrange flowers in vases Flowers were scattered on the ground for celebrations Wreaths and garlands were worn or carried during special occasions Heroes, athletes, and dignitaries were honored with wreaths Potted plants were grown indoors to supply flowers

Roman Period (28 B.C. – 325 A.D.) Continued use of the Greek designs Wreaths and garlands were more elaborate Blossom filled scarves were placed on religious alters Flowers were arranged in containers or likonons Baskets with high backs and flattened fronts

Byzantine Period (320-600 A.D.) Continued Roman designs Garlands were twisted narrow bands of fruit, flowers, and foliage. Introduced symmetrical stylized tree compositions Elaborate containers had nearly pointed bases Color schemes used neighboring hues with complementary accents.

Middle Ages (476 – 1400 A.D.) Flowers arranged in vases Symmetrical groups in Chinese flasks show Chinese influence Little known about floral designs of this period Information found in Persian art, rugs, and tapestries

The European Periods of Floral Design Renaissance Period Baroque Period Flemish Period French Styles English Georgian Period Victorian Period

Renaissance Period (1400-1600) Arrangements were large, tall, pyramidal and symmetrically balanced Arrangements were twice the height of the container Flowers were loose, airy, and not crowded Bright colors contrasted with plastered walls

Baroque and Flemish Style Period (1600-1775 A.D.) Classical Renaissance style gave way to the lavish Baroque Style Baroque style originated in Italy and spread to Holland and Belgium Symmetrical oval shaped designs Hogarthian curve or S-Curve developed this period

Flemish Style… Flemish artists painted floral arrangements which refined Baroque style Better proportioned and more compact Flowers were massed into oval shaped arrangements taller than their container Many arrangements in paintings could not have existed because the flowers bloomed in different seasons

French Tradition Was influenced by Baroque art Influenced European, English, and American styles Feminine appeal Topiary designs were introduced

English Georgian Period (1714-1760) Moved away from formality and symmetry Japanese influence affected design Tuzzy-muzzy was a hand held bouquet at this time Nosegays were placed in bowls of water on tables as centerpieces

Victorian Period (1820-1901) Floral designs were poorly proportioned Large masses of flowers with no focal point would crowd containers Too many colors and flower types created unplanted effect Toward the end of the period, rules were established for floral design Skilled designers established floral design at a professional art

History of Oriental Style… Japanese Style Chinese Style

Chinese Styles… Floral arrangements originally used to decorate Buddhist temples Large, symmetrical arrangements with central axis Only one or two types of flowers and foliage used Bright colors

Japanese Styles Adopted Chinese style in the 6th century and created their own highly refined art form Japanese styles are characterized by linear forms and open spaces.

American Floral Design Periods Early American Period Colonial Williamsburg Period American Federal Period Contemporary Styles

Early American Period… Early colonists had little time for flower arranging Household utensils were used as containers Kettles, pitchers, pans, baskets etc. Materials for arrangements were wildflowers, dried flowers and grasses Designs were informal and massed

Colonial Williamsburg Period 1724 – 1780 Trade with Europe influenced floral designs Many southern arrangements were copied from European prints and tapestries Casual, open massed bouquets were common Styles were fan shaped, rectangular or round Visual weight concentrated at base of design

American Federal Period 1780-1820 Influenced by French Styles Stressed individual beauty of flowers Break from English styles Flower height was greater than the width of arrangement Gave way to ornate Victorian style

Modern American (Late 1800’s-Present) Development of floral wire services in late 19th century established design catalogs European mass designs were combined with Japanese line designs to create line mass designs Advances in transportation and refrigeration influenced availability of cut flowers from local to world markets