Palazzo Reale Milano Celebrates 100 Years of Art Déco with Spring 2025 Exhibition

Palazzo Reale in Milan will host a major exhibition from February 25 to June 2025, marking the centenary of Art Déco. The style originated at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels in Paris, which spanned nearly 60 acres and attracted over 16 million visitors over six months. Although the term was coined later, the movement had roots in the 1910s with designer Paul Poiret. Art Déco spread rapidly across Europe and the United States, influencing iconic buildings like the Chrysler Building (designed by William van Alen in 1930) and Rockefeller Center. The style declined after World War II, deemed kitsch, but was revived in the 1980s through film noir and fashion. Key characteristics include geometric forms, symmetry, vibrant colors, and materials such as ebony, zebrano, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, ivory, exotic leathers, aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic. Inspiration came from ancient Egyptian, Aztec, African, and Greek art, as well as Cubism, Futurism, Fauvism, Expressionism, neoclassical architecture, and modern technology like airplanes and jazz. Notable figures include cabinetmaker Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, the firm Süe et Mare, lacquer artist Jean Dunand, jeweler Cartier, and painter Tamara de Lempicka. The exhibition will showcase decorative arts from Italy and Europe, including porcelain, maiolica, textiles, jewelry, paintings, and posters.