The Belle Époque (1871-1914)

What is it? It is a historical-cultural-artistic period which goes from the last years of 20° century to the First World War. This «piece of history» brings europe (also USA and Mexico) to a general development of technologies and well-fear contributing to a big change in people’s life style To better understand the «big change» we have mentioned before, we divided the work into 3 POINTS…

1° point (Innovetions/inventions) First prototype of car by Karl Benz: it was called «Benz Velociped». His wife Bertha, secretly drove 50 miles with it; thanks to her, Karl Benz’s car became very popular. Cinema by Lumière brothers: movies are a high-speed images’ succession which creates fluid movements. Eletrical illumination by thomas Edison: his invention consists of a system of incandescent metals inside a bulb which create light. Radio by guglielmo Marconi: he tried to send signals by electromagnetic waves. That means he created a wireless system. Telephone by antonio Meucci: he created a device which consisted in the Voice’s Eletric transfer First Airplane by Wright brothers: they understood that heavy objects could fly only if they had «wings», an engine (they built it themselves because it was too expensive ) and a control system. Vaccine (anti-virus) and antibiotics they overcame diseases improving health-care which meant a better life

Some pictures

2° point (fashion/trends) woman man Hats: with lots of decorations and details Tailleur: long jacket with tight but puffy sleeves on shoulders Underneath the jacket, a linen blouse with high neck and lace details Long, soft and bell-shaped skirt shoes had laces and were characterised by «Luigi’s hills» (he was the king and he used to wear this type of shoes following the rococo style) Accessories: gloves (long in the evening and short during the day), sun umbrellas, handbags, fans and walking sticks Felt hats (during the day) and top hats (in the evening) Suit composed by 3 pieces: Jackets shorter than those they used to wear before, 3 bottons and handkerchief in a pocket A classic, white blouse underneath the jacket Gilet They wore mostly boots with laces or bottons Accessories: tie, papillon, walking stick

Some illustrations

Cabarets in Paris during the Belle Époque Le Moulin Rouge Le Chat Noir It was the best known among them. It was called like this because it was a real windmill, located in Montmartre (Paris). One of the most famous performances was the «CAN CAN». Le Moulin Rouge became very famous and even today it is possible to go there, see the show and go back to this period It was a famous entertainment establishment ( as the Moulin Rouge). It is situated in Montmartre, specifically in the bohemian part We can consider it the first modern cabaret, what is today called a nightclub Here people used to drink (alcohol) while watching a large variety of shows. This is the poster which became the symbol of the cabarets’ entertainment created by Alexandre Steinlen

3° point (art) Art nouveau (modern style) Impressionism This art had the chance to be known thanks to the production and publication of posters It influenced not only painting but also architecture and design It took inspiration from nature, characterised by dinamic and wavy lines One of the most important artists is Gustav Klimt This movement came from the realism because its main theme was everyday life. The artists focused just on what people saw in nature and not on its meaning Monet, Manet, Renoir,Degas,Cézanne are some of the most important painters.

The bohémien style Artists of this period used to live according to a code of noncomformity: overuse of drugs and alcohol but at the same time unconditional passion for art Renoir, Picasso, Henry de Toulouse-Lautrec are some of the most rapresentative artists the absinthe drinker (Pablo Picasso)