Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did interest in European folk art grow during the late 19th century?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Folk art
Rooster weather vane, sheet and wrought iron, American, 19th century; in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. 73.6 × 166.4 × 4.5 cm.
Interest in European folk art grew significantly during the late 19th century, driven by a shifting intellectual climate that moved away from cosmopolitan, elite-centered artistic ideals toward a focus on national and cultural identity.12
Several key factors contributed to this development:
- Romanticism and the "Folk Soul": The Romantic movement fostered a deep appreciation for the "simple life" and the concept of the "folk soul." This intellectual shift encouraged artists and scholars to value the aesthetic qualities of common tools, utensils, and crafts, which were previously overlooked.13
- Cultural Nationalism: As part of a broader rise in nationalism, folk art became a symbol of ethnic identity and national unity. It was viewed as the authentic, slow-grown product of the people, distinct from the uniform, "polite" culture of the European elite.24
- Reaction Against Industrialization: The Industrial Revolution led to a decline in traditional craftsmanship and the rise of mass-produced, banal goods. In response, movements like the Arts and Crafts movement sought to recapture the quality of earlier, hand-produced traditions, further elevating the status of folk objects.15