Art Deco
(1920s and 1930s)
The Art Deco movement had its roots in pre-World War I France but really became popular throughout the world in the 1920s and 1930s. Bevis Hiller, an art historian, used the term "Art Deco" in 1968 to describe this specific movement, and that term has become the movement's common name. The name Art Deco comes specifically from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in Paris which was seen as an important moment in the movement's history.
Art Deco not only refers to the style of architecture that was popular at the time, but also the styles of painting, sculpture, graphic design, jewelry, furniture, trains, automobiles, appliances, and other items.
Building types:
Skyscrapers
Commercial (movie theaters)
Government (courthouses)
Institutions (banks)
Features/elements/characteristics:
Clean lines
Geometric designs (chevrons, zigzags)
Stylized designs (such as floral designs)
Modern materials (reinforced concrete, plate glass, aluminum)
Smooth surfaces
Setbacks (especially with skyscrapers)
Various worldwide influences (ancient Greece and Rome,
ancient Egypt and Persia, Mayan Civilization, African art, Oriental art)
In the United States
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| Chrysler Building (west side). Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
Chrysler Building. 1928-30.
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| Chrysler Building (east side). Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
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| Chrysler Building (corner view). Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2019. |
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| Chrysler Building elevators. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
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| Chrysler Building mural by Edward Turnbull. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
In New York City. Designed by William Van Alen. A mural painted by Edward Turnbull can be seen on the ceiling inside the lobby. Using a technique called marouflage, Turnbull painted the mural on canvas which was then attached to the ceiling.
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| Carbide and Carbon Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Carbide and Carbon Building. 1929.
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| Carbide and Carbon lower building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
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| Carbon and Carbide Entrance. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
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| Carbon and Carbide entrance (inside). Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
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| Carbide and Carbon elevators. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
In Chicago. Designed by Hubert Burnham and Daniel H. Burnham, Jr..
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| Daily News Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2018. |
Daily News Building. 1929-30.
In New York City. Designed by Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells. The carved stone design was created by Rene Paul Chambellan.
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| Chicago Board of Trade Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Chicago Board of Trade Building. 1929-30.
Designed by John Holabird and John Wellborn Root.
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| One North LaSalle Building. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
One North LaSalle Building. 1930.
In Chicago. Designed by Karl M. Vitzhum.
Art Deco in Kansas
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| 1930 First National Bank Building in Smith Center, KS. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2016. |
First National Bank Building. 1930.
In Smith Center, Kansas. Designed by Fred Organ.
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| City Hall Building in Washington, KS. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
City Hall Building. c. 1930.
In Washington, Kansas.
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| Washington County Courthouse. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Washington County Courthouse. 1933-34.
In Washington, Kansas. You can see this courthouse's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
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| Jewell County Courthouse. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2020. |
Jewell County Courthouse. 1937.
Located in Mankato, Kansas. The architect was Joseph W. Radotinsky. You can see this courthouse's National Register of Historic Places nomination form here.
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| Republic County Courthouse. Photo by Christopher Goedert. 2017. |
Republic County Courthouse. 1938-39.
In Belleville, Kansas, this building was designed by R. E. Mann and A. R. Mann. You can see this courthouse's National Register of Historic Places nomination form on the Kansas State Historical Society's website here.
Sources for more information:
Article on Art Deco in New York City's website.
Gebhard, David. The National Trust Guide to Art Deco in America. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996.
Sachs, David H. and George Ehrlich. Guide to Kansas Architecture. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1996.
