One of the most striking elements you'll notice when visiting our lounge restaurant for the first time is its cozy atmosphere inspired by 1950s New York, combined with a retro character and a cosmopolitan touch reminiscent of the great contemporary artists of the 19th century, such as Frank Sinatra. Every decoration and painting in the venue reflects the unique personality of our restaurant located in Plaza Real, creating an ambiance that embodies the essence of Art Deco as seen in the works of Tamara de Lempicka.
This artistic style reflects the groundbreaking mindset of the early 19th century, which expanded as an unstoppable cultural movement evoking and embodying splendor, sensuality, and luxury, shifting its focus away from the harmony pursued by more classical arts.
What is Art Deco?
This art style evolved from Art Nouveau, which emerged around 1910 in Paris. Art Deco was a radical artistic movement for its time due to its lack of rigid models and its adaptability to all types of themes and styles. In many ways, it was a unique artistic expression that celebrated quality, modern lifestyles, innovation, youthful sensuality, and mass consumption.
The style gained worldwide recognition during the 1925 Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris, astonishing attendees with its heterogeneity and eclecticism. On one hand, Art Deco was heavily criticized for its bold and daring nature, but on the other, it became a mass phenomenon that spread across major cities such as New York, Paris, and Russia.
The Art of a New Generation
This new artistic style was quickly adopted by Hollywood in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s as a movement that evoked luxury and grandeur. It was influenced by the majesty and ostentation of various artistic trends, including classical art, futurism, and cubism. Many works found in the United States draw inspiration from themes such as athletic men, modern women, vibrant nature, and rhythmic jazz—an iconography rooted in liberated forms, excess, and glamour.
Additionally, many films from the era, such as Metropolis (1926), reflect the aesthetic influences of Art Deco from the Chicago School in their set designs, serving as an example of the iconography inspired by the mechanization of society.
The Art of Tamara de Lempicka at My Way
Tamara de Lempicka was one of the most representative artists of Art Deco. Her works often exhibit the “groundbreaking” influence of this style, with themes that combine the underground social influence with the luxury of the upper classes. She quickly became famous among the elite as a talented portraitist, particularly known for her nudes.
The artist’s works are characterized as precursors to later styles, such as Pop Art and Expressionism, artistic movements where her influence on fashion and the glamour of the era is evident.
The paintings displayed at My Way lounge restaurant incorporate various elements of the artist’s work, such as her use of tones, lighting, shadows, backgrounds and settings, the emphasis on the female form, and the combination of different styles like 15th-century Italian painting and 17th-century Flemish art.