Art Nouveau

The name 'Art Nouveau' is French for 'New Art', peaking at the turn of the 20^th century (1890-1905). It is a truly international movement featuring significantly in France, England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Hungry, Austria and America. It is seen as a connection between historicism of Neoclassicism and modernism. The style is applied to a wide range of artistic mediums; architecture, illustration, furniture, glassware, graphic design, interior decoration and jewellery. It is commonly referred to as the applied art of decorative crafts and design. Some of the key elements are long curves, undulating shapes, plant forms, flames and waves. Its main feature is highly decorative and asymmetrical style.

Below are some examples of Art Nouveau featured throughout the different mediums

Art Nouveau Posters, Painting and Illustration

A good example of decorative art in the medium of painting and illustration, showing flowing curvilinear forms inspired with floral and other plant motives.

These Aubrey Bearsdley illustrations have there own distinctively individual style, his work was mainly stark black and white which was reminiscent of Japanese prints. These free flowing images were much reused by the flower power generation of the 60’s and 70’s.

Art Nouveau Architecture

The image above is of a church in Barcelona “The Sacred Family” which was created by Antoni Gaudi. This structure shows the bold and dominating contrasts of the historical shift from the Neo Gothic art movement to the more modern Art Nouveau.

The image above is the “Casa Mila” apartment block by Antoni Gaudi. The Building includes many of the stylistic elements of Art Nouveau. These works were heavily influenced by nature making use of free flowing curvilinear lines.

Art Nouveau Jewellery

Fine examples of plant and organic forms in jewellery from the Art Nouveau movement.

Art Nouveau Furniture

These are examples of curvilinear forms in an art style that encompasses art as part of everyday life. The public bench is a more contemporary form of Art Nouveau making use of the twisting wood as a focal point replicating the roots of a tree.

Art Nouveau Glassware