biedermeier

Biedermeier Gemütlichkeit means, that one reaches a state of cosiness, as well as friendliness. Biedermeier style displays the conflict between ideals and reality, as human life was grey and gloomy.

Imagine a well-to-do family in the early 19th century taking tea in their living room on nicely-upholstered, elegant chairs while listening to their daughter perform a delightful piece on the piano. That's the Biedermeier era.

The term, Biedermeier, comes from Papa Biedermeier, a comedic, even sometimes derogatory, Vienna term for coziness. The term was appropriated by A. Kussmaul and L. Eichrodt between 1855 and 1857 to describe the sensibility of the Vormarz period, the period between 1815 and 1848.

Early Romanticism, or First Romanticism, are common ways to refer to musical compositions that were created in this context, and great composers such as the young Beethoven, Weber, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Schumann created works that embody well this spiritual state.

Biedermeier is notable for being the first decorative movement that was created by and for the middle class, and even today, after two centuries, these pieces still feel surprisingly fresh and modern.

Key Characteristics:

1. Simple and practical forms.
2. Restrained elegance.
3. Incorporation of geometric shapes and designs.
4. Lighter wood tones such as birch, walnut, maple, pear, cherry, and elm, as well as the use of native fruitwoods.
5. Emphasis on intricate wood grain.
6. Refined ornamentation.
7. Little to no ormolu or gilt work.

An identifying feature of Biedermeier furniture is its extremely restrained geometric appearance. Some furniture took on new roles; for example, the table à milieu, rather than an isolated centrepiece, became the family table, around which chairs were set for evening activities.

Common features of the style are curves, playful geometric shapes and an emphasis on the grain of the wood, as opposed to any kind of applied ornamentation. The flat, unadorned planes, visual delicacy and playful geometries of Biedermeier pieces contribute to them feeling especially modern.

The Biedermeier style of floral arranging is such a fascinating and charming approach: within this style, flowers are arranged in compact and concentric rings of alternating colors.

The Biedermeier Period, from roughly 1815 to 1848, was the name given to a style in art, interior design, and architecture. It developed in Northern Europe, especially Germany and Austria. It was simple and straightforward art that had a goal of capturing everyday life.

Some Biedermeier pieces, especially the ones that work the contrast between light woods and dark accents, would be quite at home in an Art Deco interior (with the classic influences toned down perhaps a bit). The name “Biedermeier” was originally meant as a mocking one.