Domestic Space in France and Belgium: Art, Literature and Design, 1850-1920

Domestic Space in France and Belgium explores the overlooked area of modernity, the domestic sphere, and its conception and representation in art, literature, and material culture. Scholars from the US, UK, France, Italy, Canada, and Belgium offer fresh and exciting interpretations of artworks, texts, and modern homes, showing how modernity was expressed through domestic life at the turn of the century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Domestic Space in France and Belgium presents a groundbreaking contribution to the expanding field of Interior Studies, with a particular focus on late 19th and early 20th-century France and Belgium. This book addresses an often overlooked aspect of modernity: the domestic sphere and its conception and representation in art, literature, and material culture. A diverse group of scholars from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, and Belgium brings fresh and captivating perspectives to interpreting artworks, texts, and modern homes. This comparative and interdisciplinary approach, showcased through a series of case studies in literature, art, and architecture, explores how modernity was expressed through domestic life at the turn of the century in France and Belgium.

The domestic space in France and Belgium during the late 19th and early 20th centuries holds a unique significance in the realm of Interior Studies. This book delves into an overlooked aspect of modernity, namely the domestic sphere and its representation in art, literature, and material culture. A diverse group of scholars from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, and Belgium brings fresh and captivating perspectives to interpreting artworks, texts, and modern homes. This comparative and interdisciplinary approach, showcased through a series of case studies in literature, art, and architecture, explores how modernity was expressed through domestic life at the turn of the century in France and Belgium.

The book explores the intricate relationship between the domestic space and the broader cultural and societal transformations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It examines how the concept of the home evolved from a private and intimate space to a public and social domain, influenced by factors such as urbanization, industrialization, and the rise of consumerism. The authors analyze how artists, writers, and architects responded to these changes, creating works that reflected the changing ideals and values of the time.

One of the key themes of the book is the representation of women in the domestic space. The authors argue that the domestic sphere was often a site of oppression and marginalization for women, who were confined to traditional roles and responsibilities within the home. However, they also highlight the ways in which women resisted these constraints and sought to assert their independence and agency within the domestic realm. The book explores the role of women in the design and decoration of homes, as well as their involvement in domestic labor and activism.

Another important aspect of the book is the exploration of the material culture of the domestic space. The authors examine the various objects and artifacts that populate homes, from furniture and appliances to decorative items and household utensils. They explore how these objects reflect the social and economic status of individuals and families, as well as the changing tastes and preferences of the time. The book also considers the role of technology in the domestic space, particularly in the context of the rise.

The authors argue that the turn of the century in France and Belgium marked a significant period of transformation and innovation in the domestic space. They note the emergence of new architectural styles, such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco, that sought to create modern and functional homes that were also aesthetically pleasing. They also discuss the impact of industrialization on the design and construction of homes, as well as the introduction of new materials and technologies that facilitated the spread of consumerism and the modern lifestyle.

In conclusion, Domestic Space in France and Belgium offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the domestic space in late 19th and early 20th-century France and Belgium. Through a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, the book explores the complex relationship between the domestic sphere. It provides fresh and exciting interpretations of artworks, texts, and modern homes, shedding light on an overlooked area of modernity. The book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history and culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Weight: 960g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501341694