"An international style of decoration and architecture which developed in the 1880s and 1890s
which lasted until the first world war. The name derives from the Maison de l'Art Nouveau, an
interior design gallery opened in Paris in 1896, but in fact the movement had different names
throughout
Europe.
Germany
it wasby
known
as 'Jugendstil',
from theMackintosh,
magazine Diejugend
"In Britain the
style In
was
exemplified
the architecture
of Rennie
Aubrey
(Youth)
published
fromimages
1896; infor
Italy
'Stile Liberty'literature
(after the that
London
store, Liberty
Style) or
Beardsley
illustrated
contemporary
showcased
the curvilinear
'Floreale';
in Spaindespite
'Modernista',
in Guimard's
Austria 'Sezessionstil'
and,and
paradoxically,
France the
the
style. "In France,
Hector
famous glass
iron Metro in
designs,
English
termwas
'Modern
Style' was often
emphasizing
the English
origins of the
movement
best expressed
in theused,
applied
arts, especially
the glassware
andmovement.
jewelry
"In design Art Nouveau was characterized by flat, decorative patterns; intertwined organic
of Rene Lalique (1860-1945) and Emile Galle (1846-1904).
forms such as stems or flowers with writhing plant forms, curvilinear depiction of leaves and
flowers,
oftenthe
in the
form
vines, sinuous
linesthe
and
curvesdes
although
In Belgium,
style
wasofpromoted
through
Societe
Vingtsright-angled
(Les Vingt)forms are
also typical, especially
as the style
was practiced
in Scotland
in Austria.
established
in 1884, including
architects
Horta and
Van deand
Velde
in its members.
Alphonse
Muchahandcrafting
(Czechoslovakian,
1860-1939),
postersthe
in use
the of
style
It emphasized
as opposed
to machinedesigned
manufacturing;
newafter
moving
toand
France.
materials;
the rejection of earlier styles. The style pervaded a range of art forms from
architecture
interior
design, furniture
to printmaking,
illustration,
glass Gaudi
designinpottery,
In Spain theand
style
was concentrated
in the
eccentric hands
of Antonio
jewelry
textiles, wrought iron works and graphic design typography. 2-dimensional Art
Barcelona.
Nouveau pieces were painted, drawn, and quite popular in printed material like advertising,
In
Vienna,
architects
like Wagner
and artists
such
Gustav
Klimt
posters,
labels,
magazines
and the and
like. Hoffmann,
This was a sharp
contrast
to as
theKlimt
traditional
separation
of
art into the
distinct categories
ofto
fine
art (painting
and through
sculpture)
and
applied artsmagazine
(ceramics,
(Austrian,
1862-1918),
gathered
promote
the style
the
Secessionist
furniture,
and other practical objects).
Ver Sacrum..
In
America
architects
like Sullivan
and Wright
European
ideas but
“The
defining
characteristic
of Art Nouveau
– thewere
factorinfluenced
that made by
it into
an intellectually
and
conceived
Art Nouveau
in different
terms,
whilst
like Louis
Comfort based
Tiffany
socially cohesive
force – was
modernity.
It was
the designers
first deliberate,
internationally
enthusiastically
embraced
the movement
his stainedtoglass
works.
attempt to transform
visual culture
through aincommitment
the idea
of the modern.” – to fit
with a world that was becoming increasingly new and changed in every way possible. (The
Essence of Art Nouveau, Paul Greenhalgh)
Art nouveau in Britain evolved out of the already established arts and crafts movement.
Founded in 1861 by English designer William Morris, the arts and crafts movement
emphasized the importance of handcrafted work. Morris's devotion to handmade articles
was a reaction against shoddy machine-made products that were flooding the English
marketplace as the industrial revolution expanded. The arts and crafts movement also
promoted a totally designed environment in which everything from wallpaper to
silverware is made according to a unified design. British art nouveau designers of the
1890s shared Morris's dedication to hand-crafted work and integrated designs. To these
principles they added new forms and materials, establishing the aesthetic of the art
nouveau style.
In the graphic arts, Aubrey Beardsley drew illustrations for periodicals such as The
Yellow Book (1894-1895), and for an edition of the play Salomé (1894) by Irish-born
writer Oscar Wilde. Beardsley's vigorous use of line and distinctive double-curves known
as whiplash lines have become equated with British art nouveau in the popular
imagination.
From http://home.arcor.de/oscar.wilde/lifetime/art_nouveau.htm
Aubrey Beardsley, 1872-98
Illustrations for Oscar Wilde’s Salome, 1892
•Perverse eroticism
•Decadence
•Drips of blood from head turn into curving plant forms
Gustav Klimt:Water Serpents
The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze
Gustav Klimt: Hygieia
Alphonse Mucha was born in 1860 in Ivancice, Moravia, which is near the city of Brno
in the modern Czech Republic. Like every aspiring artist of the day, Mucha ended up in
Paris in 1887. His way was based on a strong composition, sensuous curves derived
from nature, refined decorative elements and natural colors. The Art Nouveau precepts
were used, too, but never at the expense of his vision. Bernhardt signed him to a six
year contract to design her posters and sets and costumes for her plays. Mucha was
an overnight success at the age of 34, after seven years of hard work in Paris. by Jim
Vadeboncoeur, Jr. http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/mucha.htm
Art Nouveau furniture by
the cabinet-maker Louis
Majorelle, one of the most
influential desig ners of the
Art Nouveau movement
Staircase of Hotel Tassel;
by Victor Horta, Bruxelles;
1892-93
Metro Station, Paris
Hector Germain Guimard's subway entrances for the
Paris Metro (early 1900s) are his most famous creations.
Using wrought iron, bronze, and glass, Guimard
composed his structures using the curves characteristic
of the Art Nouveau style
Casa Mila was built in Barcelon, Spain between 1905-1910.
Style is Art Nouveau in urban context.Building type is
multifamily housing. This work of Antonio Gaudi is
characterize with expressionistic, fantastic, organic forms in
undulating facade and roof line; light court.
Sagrada Familia The Greatest work of Antonio Gaudi
http://gaudi.hit.bg/
It was built in Barcelona, Spain between 1882-1926. Style is
expressionist in urban context. Building type is church and it is called
"Church of the Holy Family". This work Gaudi could not complete
before his death.
Victor Horta's House
The elaborate wrought-iron
and glass-window facade,
center, of this house in
Brussels, designed and built
in 1898 by Belgian architect
Baron Victor Horta, displays
his preference for the
European style of art known
as art nouveau. The
architect's decorative
"whiplash lines," inspired by
the look of natural vegetation,
flow throughout the house's
exterior design. Noted for his
emphasis on ornamentation,
Horta created buildings with
elaborate exteriors and
carefully planned interiors.
Emile Gale Vases
Tiffany Lamp
Emile Galle Glass Lamp
’The Tree of Life stained glass
by Louis Comfort Tiffany (18481933)
Art Nouveau Jewelry