The Art of Decadence

A magnificent visual history of Decadence, Aestheticism and Symbolism presented by Hiroshi Unno

Across time and space, the motifs and images of Decadence are repeatedly depicted in literature, fine arts, music and other art forms. This book presents numerous historically important art works spanning from the 19th century to Surrealism, including notable European illustrators such as Odilon Redon, Gustav Klimt, Gustave Moreau, Aubrey Vincent Beardsley and much more.

Each chapter comprehensively showcases such art works, grouping them by stylistic category or artistic movement: Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; Symbolism in France, Germany and Belgium; Wiener Secession; Art Nouveau and Art Deco; Eroticism; book illustrators; Surrealist artists and so on. This collection also explores the theme of the femme fatale through representations of Sirens, mermaids and witches, as well as characters from Greek mythology, modern literary works, and so on.

Approximately 370 great art works are presented in a stylish layout designed by Reiko Harajo, the renowned book designer and creator of the gorgeous book designs of past PIE titles: George Barbier, William Morris and Harry Clarke. These art titles are available in English and include columns on themes related to these works.

The Art of Decadence is sure to become a most treasured book for artists and illustrators, especially those with a keen interest in 19th century European Art.

From the foil-stamped cover to the reversible images printed onto the page edges and the mix of paper stocks inside, this is an amazing example of why we still love the book as an object

About the Author

Hiroshi Unnno was born in 1939 in Tokyo. Unno writes on art, cinema, music, urbanism, novels, flower arranging and more. His recent titles released by PIE International - "Avant-Garde Graphics in Russia," "William Morris," "Harry Clarke," "Beautiful Book Design," "The World of Mucha," "A Thousand and One Nights" - are recognizable all over the world.