Traiter de l’ornement

Abstract

The Study of Ornaments The dictionary’s definition of the ornament is « something that decorates or adorns ; embellishment » (American Heritage Dictionary) . Its meaning is therefore both functional and contextual. Ornaments belong to the same realm as the objects they adorn. As such, they are related to all the crafts grouped under the titling of « decorative arts » : fire arts, woodwork, objects of fine art. Documented for the most part by drawings circulated as prints and by treaties of ornamentation, ornaments are an essential part of artistic creation. The notion of decor evolved throughout the centuries, fluctuating between the ornate and the minimal, following the evolution of taste, needs, available materials, the political and economic context, the influence of intellectual milieus and the role of patrons. Cultural events of the past thirty years, particularly exhibitions and their accompanying catalogues (traces of these ephemeral events), as well as the symposiums held on these occasions, have enabled new approaches of decorative arts. Monographs and research on specific techniques have also contributed to this renewal by shedding new light on these arts. Finally, it is important to mention in this respect the reopening of the musée des Arts décoratifs in Paris. Our aim in this paper is not to cover all the aspects of the renewal of the study of ornaments, but to present a select number of events chosen for their exemplariness. Our hope is that this presentation will help foster curiosity about this domain and possibly encourage multiform approaches.