Decorative Design Class Notebook of Cooper Union Student, c.1910 -- Art Nouveau, Ornamental Design, Decorative Arts
- New York, New York , 1910
New York, New York, 1910. Very good. Extremities worn with a couple chips, toned with some light dust soiling.. Sketchbook of original artwork, copied designs, and class notes kept by a Cooper Union art student named George Klement in the class "Decorative Designing" taught by Edward Ehrle. The sketchbook charts Klement's progress as he learns about different concepts in decorative design including rhythm, mass, space, balance, symmetry, color theory, tone, measure, shape and structure. There is a brief section of notes on Egyptian art, and a very strong influence of nature/naturalism and Art Nouveau throughout, making it the perfect emblem of its time. He has pasted in some of his class exercises or assignments, all of which he has rendered skillfully; several appear to be created for specific purposes, such as for tiles or friezes. Klement has decorated the cover of the sketchbook as well, with a classical depiction of Columbia lounging on her side, and a modern dancer, both dressed in patriotic stars and stripes. Single vol. (8.5" by 10.75"), approx. 26 leaves, with nearly every page filled with ink manuscript or original artwork. Pencil stencil and newspaper clipping loosely inserted into front cover. Bound in original paper cover boards with textured black paper spine. George Klement was born c.1891 and married Brooklyn resident Anna L. Dietz in 1916, but has left little to no trace of his subsequent activities or design career.