History of Floral Design

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

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 Red roses symbolize and communicate love.

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

4 Major periods of history Classical European Oriental American

Classical Period of Floral Design Byzantine Period Egyptian Period Greek Period Middle Ages Roman Period

Egyptian Period (2800-28 B.C.) Styles were simple and orderly Regimented rows and repetition of identical floral groups created patterned designs. Primary colors dominated.

Greek Period (600-146 B.c.) 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.

Greek Period Potted plants were grown indoors to supply flowers Professional florists were hired to create wreaths and decorations Cornucopia was a symbol of abundance and was used in an upright position. Grace, simplicity and symbolism characterized the Greek design.

Roman Period (28 BC-325 AD) 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 AC) Continued Roman designs Garlands were twisted narrow bands of fruit, flowers, and foliage. Color schemes used neighboring hues with complementary accents.

Middle ages (476-1400 AD) Flowers arranged in vases Little known about floral designs of this period Information found in Persian art, rugs, and tapestries.

Design European Periods of Floral 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 Arrangement was twice the height of container Flowers were loose, airy and uncrowded

Baroque and Flemish Style Period (1600-1775 AD) Symmetrical oval shaped designs Hogarthian curve or S-Curve developed this period

Flemish Style Flemish artists painted floral arrangements, refining Baroque style Better proportioned and more compact Flowers were massed into oval shaped arrangements taller than their container

French Tradition Influenced European, English and American Styles Influenced by Baroque art Feminine appeal Arrangements were bouquets with no design or center of interest. Topiary designs were introduced

English Georgian Period (1714-1760) Moved away from formality and symmetry Nosegay was a hand-held bouquet developed 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 crowded into containers

History of Oriental Style Japanese Style Chinese Style

Chinese Styles 500BC-100AD 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 were used

Japanese styles Adopted Chinese style in 6th century and created their own highly refined art form Ikenobo school of floral art created the style known as Ikebana Characterized by linear forms and open spaces

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

Early American Period Household utensils (kettles, pitchers, pans, etc.) and baskets were used as containers Materials for arrangements were wildflowers, dried flowers and grasses Designs were informal and massed

American Federal Period (1780-1820) Influenced by French Styles Stressed individual beauty of flowers Flower height was greater than width of arrangement

Modern American (late 1800’s – Present) 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 Individualistic, unique designs