The revival and evolution of modern mosaic art
(5 min read) After a slow but gradual decline through the middle ages, mosaic art experienced a revival throughout the 19th century. A thriving tile industry led to a renewed interest in the usage of mosaic tiling patterns in both smaller abbeys and major religious buildings. Detailed religious scenes, interlocking patterns of ceramic tiles, as well as pseudo mosaic and opus sectile, can be seen throughout the chapels and landmark monuments all around the world, like the Sacre-Coeur in Paris and the Westminster Cathedral.
The revival of the Byzantine style of mosaic making was also fueled by the large concentration of wealth that the Victorian era brought with it. Accumulation of treasure and the financial prosperity contributed to the overall increase in domestic and public building and designing projects. Mass production of tiles ultimately renewed interest in the making of decorative floors, which also reflected in the Gothic revival in both architecture and design. Another considerable influence was Antonio Salviati, who is often credited with reviving the Venetian glass industry. He was one of the first manufacturers who saw the huge business opportunity in matching the ancient Venetian skill of mosaic making with the increased Victorian demand for glass mosaics.
Mosaic art was also embraced by the Art Noveau movement. One of the most famous results of this is the Park Gueli in Barcelona created by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol in the first two decades of the 20th century. Ceramic mosaics of park Gueli were produced with a technique known as trencadis, which includes covering surfaces of buildings with purpose-made and waste tiles. Aside from this, Gaudi and Jujol also incorporated broken crockery and a variety of other found objects into their creations, which led to some revolutionary ideas in architecture and formal art in general. Found objects started to be used as mosaic materials in a range of inventive ways. One of the most notable examples of the time is Victorian shell grottoes, as well as “putty pots”, where pieces of china, buttons, toy figures, and other found items adhere to the base with linseed putty. This particular type of collage of found and personal objects connected to everyday life is also known as “memoryware”.
One of the most influential sites was also La Maison Picassiette in Chartres, northern France. It was created by Raymonde Isidore between 1938 and 1964 and it is often mentioned as a true monument of idiosyncratic creativity. Isidore covered his entire house and garden with a huge array of intricate and colorful mosaics of broken crockery. He was nicknamed “Piccassiette” which is French for “scrounger” and he is considered to be the founder of the very popular style of mosaic called “pique assette”.
All of these novelties in terms of techniques and styles led to a pretty healthy and progressive state of mosaic art in modern times or the early 21st century. The field is rich with new and inventive approaches and ideas when it comes to materials, applications, and methods. Some of the leading figures of contemporary mosaic art are Emma Biggs (UK), Lorenzo de Rosso (Italy), Pamela Mauseth (US), Sonia King (US), Vasilisa Janojkic (Serbia), Marcelo de Melo (Brazil), and Saimir Strati (Albania). Organizations such as The Society of American Mosaic Artists, the British Association for Modern Mosaic, and many others were created to promote and further popularize mosaic art.
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30 Comments
Wow! The La Maison Picassiette is an exquisite house–truly a work of art. I would love to know how much time it took to do this. We must make a note to visit it.
Very interesting post. Mosaic art is absolutely beautiful, I personally enjoy Gaudi’s collection. My visit to Barcelona is one of my dearest memories. Thanks fro bringing that cack to me.
I love mosaics and particularly the beautiful Gaudi art in Barcelona!
Wow this is gorgeous. I had no idea mosaic art was experiencing a revival but it’s so beautiful.
Eek this is so fun, thank you!
Mosaics are such beautiful pieces of artwork. It is so fascinating what they can look like and all the different styles they can portray.
That was some significant and beautiful work at La Maison Piccassiette. I wish you had taught my art history section when I was in high school! I might have learned something then! Thank you for sharing!
This is so pretty! The La Maison Picassiette is so wonderful! thanks for sharing
SO many gorgeous mosaics, both old and new!
It is wonderful to see how mosaic designs have evolved over time, some of the pieces are timeless
I love mosaics! Especially those that have been around for so many years! It’s fascinating to hear the history.
Mosaic work is truly an amazing art that gives great vibes and the design looks really mesmerizing. This design gives the highest form of imagination and creativity.
I love how mosaic art has been through a lot of changes over time, but it never fails to be beautiful.
I love the mosaic details from Gaudi’s collection it is stunning – the house is a bit too much of a good thing for me 🙂
Wow this is beautiful. I would love to see it in person.
La Maison Piccassiette is amazing looking! I love quite a few of the art pieces you’ve shown, such beautiful detail and talent ; )
These mosaic pieces are gorgeous. Mosaic art has definitely come a long way. I’m a huge fan of the details from Gaudi’s collection of mosaic artworks. It’s so unique!
Stunning art. This is really informative and interesting post. I learned something new today 🙂
Wonderful, Mosaic art is really so beautiful, Thanks for sharing this information.
I absolutely love mosaic art. It’s such a lovely medium. I find it fascinating how those small pieces come together to create one overall image or feel.
I like to appreciate mosiac beauty because when you look them from a distance, it looks like they are just normal. But when you look at them closely, it gives you like something surprising that they are mosaicly done. =)
I love the looks of mosaic art. I want to add some to my garden this year. So pretty.
I didn’t even know there was mosaic art in Westminster! These are such beautiful pieces.
It would great to add something small scale like that in my garden. All of those mosaic artworks look absolutely beautiful!
There seems to be so much mosaic art all over the world. It looks so pretty.
It was very interesting to read this article about the revival and evolution of modern mosaic art. And to see some spectacular mosaic artwork in the attached photos! Thanks!
Nina
I love the fact that there is a revival of mosaic art. It will always be timeless. I am excited as to how the art will be developed throughout our modern days.I love the fact that there is a revival of mosaic art. It will always be timeless. I am excited as to how the art will be developed throughout our modern days.
I love the fact that there is a revival of mosaic art. It will always be timeless. I am excited as to how the art will be developed throughout our modern days.
That was truly amazing on how it progressed over the years! Such beautiful masterpiece. So far the “putty pots” are my favorite
Wow! This was a great informative post. The mosaics look so beautiful ?? Thanks for sharing ?