Reina N, Nicole R, Kacey R.

Art and Literature in the

1920s

Roaring TwentiesThe 1920s was a dynamic decade filled with change. The decade was experimental and modern, testing

the status quo and producing something innovative and dynamic.

Themes of sexuality, technology, and social progress were expressed throughout the decade of art and

literature.Artists and writers experimented

with new themes and styles.

ArtArt Deco was the artistic

movement that flourished during the

1920s. Not only did this

movement apply to art, but also applied to architecture,

furnishings, and advertisements.

Art Deco was minimalized and

streamlined.The Chrysler

Building and the Empire State Building are

prime examples of Art Deco in architecture.

The style often held bold geometric

shapes, vibrant coloring, and

oversized lettering.

Harlem Renaissances Art

This movement was artistic and intellectual and was centered in Harlem, New York. The Harlem Renaissances expressed the

uniqueness of African-American culture.

Because of this movement, artists like Aaron Douglass, Jacob

Lawrence, and William Johnson.They created bold and colorful imagery to communicate the

African-Americans pride.

LiteratureIn literacy circles, disillusionment followed World War I and caused many writers to focus on the horrors of the war. Other

common themes were sexuality and human capacity.

F. Scott Fitzgerald was a famous writer during this time. His most famous novel, The

Great Gatsby, was published in 1925. The novel deals with the issues of the decade and is widely known as a cautionary tale.Ernest Hemingway was another famous writer. He wrote about the war, having witnessed the traumatizing events first

hand. Typically he wrote about the struggles of life, courage, and loss.

The Harlem Renaissance also had its own

collection of African-American writers. The most known was the

novelist and poet, Langston Hughes. Other well-known writers are

Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, James Weldon Johnson and W.E.B. Du

Bois.

Citations"American Art, Pop Culture, &

Literature of the 1920s." Study. N.p., n.d. Web.

"1920s Art." 1920s Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Sinski’s Powerpoint on the 1920s.