CONSUMERISM
- During the 1920s people wanted to keep up with the latest fashion trends so they would keep buying the new things.
- America took fashion ideas from France and made them more affordable so that even the working class would be able to afford French inspired styles.
The Cathedrals of Fifth Avenue
Here is a painting, titled "The Cathedrals of Fifth Avenue", painted by Florine Stettheimer in 1931. The so called "cathedrals" represent urban life for consumers, such as shops, department stores, and restaurants on Fifth Avenue that would appeal to the rich, upper class. Many names of these stores are hidden in the picture including but not limited to: Tiffany's, Altman's, and Hudnut's. Stettheimer was trying to capture the wealthy consumer lifestyle in a bit of a mocking way.
Click painting for more information.
Below is a poem that Stettheimer wrote based off of the same ideas as her painting.
Click painting for more information.
Below is a poem that Stettheimer wrote based off of the same ideas as her painting.