The chandelier in art and design

Chandeliers are a symbol of beauty and gloss. That has been playing an important role in art for a long time. This blog is devoted to this topic and examines which artistic influences have contributed to its design and development.

We follow its story about different cultures and times to this day. We will look at the importance of chandeliers from an art -historical perspective and show why this symbol finds so much recognition.

Discover the secrets of the fascinating chandelier in art with us!

2nd chandelier in art history

Chandeliers are an essential part of art history . Already in the Middle Ages they were used as decoration and lighting in the churches and symbolized the king's power over the world. They were also a symbol of wealth and the splendor of the nobility.

In the 17th century it began to produce chandeliers in different cultures as part of the visual art. This work was often recorded by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Caravaggio. Most of these works showed scenes from everyday life, including dancing, music and other amusements, often with chandeliers in the motif.

These works of art were very popular in many European countries. Palazzo Pitti housed one of the largest collections of chandeliers from the 17th century. Many of these pieces still represent significant masterpieces that shape the cultural heritage of Italy.

Even nowadays, chandeliers play a major role in art. Many artists have created modern interpretations of this traditional lamp variant by using new materials and methods to create their own distinctive style.

The light dispensers can be made from a wide variety of materials, including marble, wood or glass, which makes it an ideal accessory in order to give style and character. These types of ceiling lights are not only popular as decoration and lighting elements, but also as an artistic collector's object for lovers of the history of visual art.

Many museum exhibitions are specifically devoted to the subtle-creative designs of old masterpieces from a wide variety of eras-so it is possible to look at these artistic pieces of jewelry from different perspectives and at the same time to find out more about their origin and meaning for society.

With the help of the latest technologies, it is now possible replicas of old masterpieces - this is how absolutely authentic copies of ancient chandeliers can be created at moderate costs.

3. The meaning of the chandelier in different cultures

The design of lights and light sources is a very old art form and represents a special status in many cultures. It is viewed not only as a decoration, but also as a symbol of the connection between people. The chandelier is a well -known symbol of wisdom, happiness and peace .

In the Islamic culture, chandeliers are often found in mosques. They establish a connection between God and the faithful and are a sign of veneration towards the Almighty .

In Christian churches, on the other hand, the chandelier symbolizes the unity of the community and the divine splendor , which is conveyed by the light.

also has an important place as a symbol in Jewish faith It represents the light of the thora, the abundance of knowledge and victory over the darkness of ignorance .

The Menora is a special type of candlestick that has seven arms and comes from the Jewish temple. He stands as a symbol of hope, wisdom and joy and reminds of the Jewish faith.

Selected chandeliers of the 18th and 19th centuries

The Met is home to a wonderful collection of historical chandeliers from the past centuries. Here you can see a few selected copies of the exhibition "European Sculpture and Decorative Arts":

Chandelier (probably Irish or British, approx. 1787)

This chandelier made of sanded glass was originally produced around 1787 for Somerford Park, Cheshire. The shape is the one that was often followed in the late eighteenth century. A central shaft is covered by a number of vase and baluster-shaped extensions with canopies at the top and bottom. The candles carry ten tall arms; Ten smaller of purely decorative importance end in slim obelisk. All arms are enriched with concave prismatic cuts.

The effect is completed by crystal strands in different sizes and extraordinary brilliance. Particularly noteworthy is the large crystal drop at the foot of the shaft. The chandelier should be of Irish origin. However, it is not unlikely that it was made in England.

Chandelier (Irish or British, 18th century)

Luxury items such as this lamp made of sanded glass were regularly imported from England both before and after the revolution to decorate the houses of wealthy Americans.

Chandelier (British, James Moore attributed, approx. 1710–15)

This chandelier belongs to a couple who was delivered to James, the third Viscount Scudamore (died 1716) for the State Apartments in Holme Lacy, Herfordshire. The court carpenters Moore and Gumley specialized in finely carved gilded gesso furniture. Holme Lacy later rose to the Earl of Chesterfield. In 1910 he moved a large part of the content, including this chandelier, to Beningbrough Hall, Yorkshire, where he remained until 1958.

Chandeliers can be interpreted in different ways - from religious symbols to works of art - but they combine all people due to their deeply rooted meaning in many cultures worldwide.

It is no wonder that they are so popular - both in interior facilities and in works of art - because they remind us of our common longing topic: the light !

4. The influence of chandeliers on modern art forms

Chandeliers also played an important role in modern art. Many artists take them as inspiration for their works.

A well -known example is the Spanish painter Joan Miró , who painted several paintings with chandeliers. He used it to illustrate his surrealistic style and create magical sensuality

Other artists such as the pop artist Keith Haring and the photographer Robert Maplethorpe recorded the chandelier as a motif to create a certain atmosphere and to draw the viewer's attention to the essentials.

The influence of chandeliers on modern art form is so great that some artists take over it as a creative element.

However, there are not only positive aspects of the chandelier in modern art; Many artists also consider him a symbol of pomp and abundance .

The work of Andy Warhol clearly shows the contrast between poverty and wealth , which he tried to present with the help of magnificent candlesticks. His paintings indicate the contradictions that exist in our society: While many people suffer from poverty, others are showered with luxurious objects.

In general, art provides us with many interesting insights into the importance of chandeliers and their influence on our culture and society. They not only illustrate their beautiful shine, but also ask us about the use of luxury goods and their moral implications .

Through its use in different contexts, the chandelier has developed into a strongly frequented symbol in the modern art scene - both in a positive and negative sense - and has therefore become indispensable for every art lover.

5. The rise of the French design company Baccarat

Chandeliers have established themselves as a symbol of art and wealth for centuries. In the 19th century, however, there was a French manufacturer who contributed to raising these decorations to a new level - Baccarat . The French company has many of its impressive creations to magnificent castles and houses across Europe .

Baccarat's first chandeliers were produced in 1817. Its numerous designs were both functional and aesthetically appealing and made the brand one of the best -known names in the candlestick business. Most of their creations showed traditional elements such as crystal shapes, iron frames and different colors and textures.

In addition, the company also used a lot of gold leaf to make its pieces even more opulating. Many Königshäuser were inspired by Baccarat's designs, so that it soon produced more than just chandeliers. It began to produce wall lamps and other lighting pieces that awarded his brand the reputation of the innovation carrier.

Inspired by the intensive competition between the global industries in the late 19th century - which was held in public at the many world exhibitions of this time - Baccarat increased its artistic level by taking over new technologies and creating a strict training program. The company expanded its stylistic spectrum, recorded Asian influences and new engraving methods and increased the production of its now iconic Millefiori letter complaints.

The designer George Chevalier , who worked for Baccarat for more than five decades from 1916, led the company into the field of modernist design. In recent years, Baccarat has hired such renowned contemporary designers such as Philippe Starck and Marcel Wander to ensure that Baccarat-Kristal will continue to take a place of honor on modern tables.

Even today, Baccarat is still a reference for artistically designed lights and lamps made of crystal and other lighting elements. A special feature of Baccarat's creations has always been that they not only beautiful, but also functional . The lamp umbrellas were designed in such a way to maximize the light output without impairing their aesthetics .

This approach made the brand so popular with customers - both among the nobles and among ordinary citizens - since it offered functional light sources without compromise in quality.

Nowadays there are many design companies that specialize in the production of high -quality lamps and lights from crystal - but none comes to the brilliance of Baccarat's work. The artistic pieces of the French design pioneer formed the basis for modern lighting design and have still provided inspiration for modern artists.

6. Modern interpretation of classic design by today's artists and designers

We learned: chandeliers have a long history in art and are still a popular motif today.

As a coveted design element, they appear in many different art forms-from paintings to more modern media such as photography, video and installation.

When looking at works of art that have chandeliers as a central motif, we can see both the classic design and modern interpretations. The combination of tradition and innovation enables artists and designers to create modern interpretations of the traditional design of the chandelier.

These result in the uniqueness of the design by using unexpected shapes and colors or interpreting traditional aesthetics in a new, innovative way.

An example of this are the creations of Studio Drift Ralph Nauta and Lonneke Gordijn founded in 2006 . It uses LED lamps to create a visual combination of light and shadow that creates a unique effect. Drift has already been awarded several times. About 2008 at Light of the Future of the German Design Council for your light installation fragile future . Concrete Chandelier Fragile Future series won the Moët Hennessy - Pavilion of Art and Design London Prize 2010 and was bought by Victoria & Albert Museum London. The duo then won the Art Aurea Award in 2015.

Another innovative interpretation of the classic chandelier design is the highlight of the Chase Center Arena in San Francisco, USA: An LED crowning candidate in the home of the US basketball team Golden State Warriors. They commissioned the Lichtkunstbüro Studio 1thousand to design a representative high-tech light installation for the VIP input of the stadium. The result is a gate -format, controllable light sculpture of more than 20,000 pixels .

It offers a visual spectacle and at the same time emphasizes the influence of light on our perception of the world around us.

Chandeliers are not only popular in the art scene - many designers use modern techniques to create their own versions of this popular design. On Art Crystal you will find, for example, numerous crystal chandeliers that have been modeled on traditional designs. These are exceptional lights from Czech glass masters in traditional and modern design.

The chandelier forms are characterized by a vitreous with brass parts in gold or silvering, glass arms and bowls. Each lamp is richly decorated with crystal elements of exquisite quality.

With their innovative ideas, artists and designers always bring new perspectives to the art world - so we can continue to enjoy the magical light of the chandeliers and enjoy their fascinating design.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www. kunstplaza .de/