ART NOUVEAU

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ART NOUVEAU MOVEMENT

PROVENANCE
Art Nouveau is a style of art and design that first appeared in the 1880s. It was named after the
French term for "new art". It was characterized by flowing lines, organic forms, and intricate patterns
inspired by nature. The style was popularized by a Parisian art dealer named Siegfried Bing, who
opened a gallery called L'Art Nouveau in 1895.1
Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc and John Ruskin were two important figures who believed in the unity of all
arts. In 1895, Siegfried Bing opened a gallery in Paris called "Maison l'Art Nouveau" where he sold
furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, and other decorative items in the Art Nouveau style. The movement's
designers encouraged the use of organic forms and patterns that flowed from one object to another, and
they believed in coordinating art and design. The movement was a continuation of democratic ideas from
Britain's Arts and Crafts movement .
The Art Nouveau movement was both political and artistic. William Morris, an English designer and
businessman, was one of the movement's key figures, and he believed that objects of everyday use should
be functional and beautiful. He rejected the heavy and ornate styles of the Victorian era that had come
before. Art Nouveau was a reaction against the academic styles of the 19th century, and it was a way for
artists and architects to create a new style for the 20th century. The movement believed that beautiful things
could benefit people who saw them, and it was a response to the increasing industrialization and mass
production of poorly-made goods. Art Nouveau aimed to incorporate art back into everyday life and return
to good craftsmanship. The Art Nouveau movement was both political and artistic. William Morris, an
English designer and businessman, was one of the movement's key figures, and he believed that objects of
everyday use should be functional and beautiful. He rejected the heavy and ornate styles of the Victorian
era that had come before. Art Nouveau was a reaction against the academic styles of the 19th century, and it
was a way for artists and architects to create a new style for the 20th century. The movement believed that
beautiful things could benefit people who saw them, and it was a response to the increasing
industrialization and mass production of poorly-made goods. Art Nouveau aimed to incorporate art back
into everyday life and return to good craftsmanship.2
Art Nouveau is a style of architecture and design that emerged in the 1890s. It is known for its sinuous
lines and flowing organic shapes that are inspired by plant forms. Art nouveau flourished in the first
decades of the twentieth century but was killed off by the First World War.3

1 “Artlex”, Accessed, May 17, 2023, https://www.artlex.com/art-movements/cubism/.

2 "Professor Khaled M. Devidar", Article The Art Nouveau Style ,The British University in Egypt, Research Gate 2018, page # 2

3
“Tate”, Accessed, may 17, 2023,https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artterms/c/cubism.
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Before the Art Nouveau movement, Gustav Klimt was known for his decorative paintings of historical scenes
and figures that were commissioned for public buildings. Later, his "Golden Phase" from 1903-1909 would be
recognized. In 1897, Klimt co-founded the Vienna Secession, a group of Austrian artists that aimed to bring
modern European art style to Austria. He was elected as the first president of the Vienna Secession because he
challenged authority, and his international fame as an Art Nouveau artist led to the Secession's early success.4

HISTORY
In England, the Art Nouveau style was preceded by the Aestheticism of the illustrator Aubrey Beardsley and the Arts
and Crafts movement of William Morris. Beardsley used organic lines to create expressive illustrations, while
Morris established the importance of a vital style in the applied arts. On the European continent, Art Nouveau was
influenced by the expressive line experiments of painters Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The
movement was partly inspired by a trend for the linear patterns of Japanese prints (ukiyo-e). The uncompromising
style of Art Nouveau is often considered a response to the hyper-industrialization of Europe of the late 19th century. 5
This rise in mass production seemed to come at the expense of true craftsmanship and originality, and artists of this
time made, through Art Nouveau, a more deliberate attempt at daring, exotic design. These artists maintained that
beauty could be more accessible. Rather than “just” paintings, glassware, jewelry, and other common items could be
artfully designed, thus bringing beauty into everyday life. This style helped define the Belle Époch, the period of
time between around 1880 to the outbreak of World War I in 1914.6

ClASSIC AND MODERN ART NOUVEAU

Art Nouveau is an antique art form, it is still relevant today. It started as furniture, utensils, and paintings, which was
considered edgy at the time, but it has now become modern-day architecture and street art. Even album covers from the
1960s have Art Nouveau to thank for their psychedelic look. Artists continue to take inspiration from Art Nouveau
for their designs.
INFLUENCE OF ART NOAVEAU
Industrial Revolution can be identified as the main influence of art nouveau. The designers welcomed the
technological progress which gave them many aesthetic possibilities such as new materials and processes to create
art.[6:45 PM, Nature also had a major impact on this movement. Most of the art nouveau designs are influenced by
exotic fauna and flora such as butterflies, dragonflies, insects, reptiles, orchids, tulips, water lilies, irises, etc.
Designs often took the form of flower buds, stalks, vine tendrils, insect wings, and other delicate and sinuous natural
objects.[6:45 PM, Art nouveau movement was also influenced Arts and Crafts Movement that flourished in Europe
at the time. This movement advocated traditional craftsmanship using simple forms. Medieval, romantic and folk
styles were often used in this movement. William Morris is considered to be the leading figure in the Arts and Crafts
Movement and many nouveau art designers were influenced by his use of stylized organic and floral
forms.Japonisme is another major style that influenced art nouveau movement. When Japan decided to enter into
international trade in the late nineteenth century, there was a high demand for Japanese arts and crafts. Japanese
porcelain, fans, textiles and lacquer work began to be very popular and created a major impact on western art.
Cherry blossoms, bamboo, carp and wisteria became a part of art nouveau designs. 7

4 BRTIANNICA Accessed on May 17, 2023, https://www.artlex.com/art-movements/cubism

5 Artlex, Accessed on May 17, 2023, https://www.artlex.com/art-movements/cubism/.

6 Ibid
7
Pedica .com Accessed on May 17, 2023 https://pediaa.com/what-influenced-art-nouveau/
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Famous Art Nouveau Artists

Art Nouveau artists worked in various mediums, including architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative art. Today,
historians and scholars consider Art Nouveau as the predecessor to Modernism. Art Nouveau brought together artists from
different parts of the world into a unified movement that included individual artists from various styles, including fine arts
and applied art Alphonse Mucha was one of the most prominent members of the Art Nouveau movement. He is known for
his designs that mostly pertained to posters and advertisements for theatrical performances. Many modern movie posters
draw their design elements and inspiration from the likes of Mucha and his work. Alphonse Mucha was one of the most
prominent members of the Art Nouveau movement. He is known for his designs that mostly pertained to posters and
advertisements for theatrical performances. Many modern movie posters draw their design elements and inspiration from
the likes of Mucha and his work. He was born in Bohemia and is considered to be one of the most notable artists from the
Czech Republic. Mucha spent much of his young life in places like Paris, France and Munich, Germany, which are both
rich in art history and culture. Mucha’s most famous works are mostly paintings and lithographs which he created as
advertisements for theatrical performances throughout Europe. His works mostly featured the female form and he sought to
portray women in a new manner that celebrated a more socially powerful female figure. Gustav Klimt is one of the most
highly-regarded painters from the Art Nouveau era. He was born in Austria and spent the majority of his 55 years in the
country—only venturing to nearby countries like Italy sparingly in his later years.He was already a widely-celebrated artist
before the Art Nouveau movement began to take shape late in the 19th century and Klimt was well-known for his
decorative paintings that mostly featured women.Many artists argued that Austria was stuck in a Classical artistic
framework and culture for much of the 1800’s while other areas of Europe were making great strides in new and exciting
art movements.8
Klimt and a few other artists who founded the Vienna Secession, which sought to bring Austria into the modern
European art scene.The majority of Klimt’s paintings are recognized for their exquisite realism and also for the highly-
unique elements he used in many of his works.Klimt went through a phase that art historians and critics refer to as the
artist’s Golden Phase during later years in which he painted a number of works that included brilliant golden robes and
celebrated the female form. Charles Rennie Mackintosh is considered to be the most famous figure among the British
section of the Art Nouveau movement. Born in Scotland in 1868, Mackintosh grew up in a modest family and showed a
particular inclination for art and architecture from a very early age.He began his career as an architect, but also dabbled
in painting and was well-known among the social scene of many British and Scottish artists during the late 1800’s.He
married Margaret Macdonald, who was a prominent artist in her own right, and the couple paired with another husband
and wife to form a collaboration known as “The Four.” Mackintosh is said to have been one of the most forward-
thinking architects and design experts of the early Art Nouveau movement. 9

8
Artlex, Accessed on May 17, 2023, https://www.artlex.com/art-movements/cubism/.

9 ARTST, Accessed on may 17,3023 https://www.artst.org/art-nouveau-artists/

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Key Art Nouveau artitsts

Gustav Klim
Gustav Klimt is one of the most well-known Art Nouveau artists. As the president of the Austrian Secession group, he
worked on the principle of Gesamtkunstwerk, which combined beauty and utility. Klimt's work was influenced by
eroticism and sexuality, which were significant elements of Vienna's philosophy, psychology, and arts in the early 1900s.
Klimt's most famous work, The Kiss (1907), portrays two lovers in a passionate embrace, with its rich golden design,
flattened form, and sensual curves representing the Art Nouveau style of the time.
Aubrey Beardsley:
Aubrey Beardsley was a gifted young English artist who never received formal training. He became one of the most
controversial figures of the Art Nouveau movement due to his bold portrayal of provocative erotic themes. Despite his
untimely death at 25, he created numerous significant artworks, including India ink illustrations for Oscar Wilde's
Salomé. The Climax (1893) is one of his most famous works, portraying Salomé kissing the severed head of John the
Baptist and filled with erotic symbolism.
Alphonse Mucha
Alphonse Mucha, a Czech artist, was primarily recognized for his commercial posters and advertisements. He was
fascinated by portraying "the new woman," celebrating femininity, sexuality, and empowered women of the modern era.
His poster Gismonda (1894), made for Victorien Sardou's play, became an emblem of the Art Nouveau style and inspired
many artists after him. Mucha is also famous for his depictions of the different seasons represented by women's forms.
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany is the most well-known name associated with Art Nouveau in the United States. He inherited the
Silver Empire Tiffany & Co., which his father founded in 1837. Although he began as a painter, Tiffany became most
famous for his decorative artwork, especially his creation of leaded glass. He produced stained glass with finely painted
details, establishing a revolutionary decorative style that is still associated with the company name to this day. Tiffany's
lamps are so iconic that even similar-looking products made by rival designers from the same era are referred to as
"Tiffany lamps.“9
Antoni Gaudí
Antoni Gaudí is one of the most famous architects associated with Modernisme, the Catalan variant of Art Nouveau
architecture. The Catalan architect, most famous for the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Park Güell in Barcelona, worked
with abundant curves, flamboyant smooth designs, and bold colours in his buildings. 10
Tassel
Victor HortaThe Belgian Victor Horta was one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement, and is one of the people
responsible for expanding the movement from the visual and decorative arts into the field of architecture. He is famous
for his design of the Hotel Tassel (1894) in Brussels, which is considered to be the first Art Nouveau building. 11

10 Artland Magzine ,Last Accessed On May 2023 https://magazine.artland.com/art-movement-art-nouveau/

11
Abid
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ART NOUVEAU MASTERPIECES

1 The Kiss is a painting produced by Gustav Klimt between 1907 and 1908. This painting is from the “Golden
Period” and the Australian painter painted many works in gilded style. In this painting, Gustav Klimt depicts a
couple embracing, their bodies entwined in elaborate robes. 12
2 The Peacock is a painting produced by Aubrey Beardsley in 1893. In this painting, the English painter
shows the protagonist wrapped in a long, flowing garment that is embroidered with designs similar to that of
peacock feathers.13
3 The Dancer’s Reward is a painting produced by Aubrey Beardsley in 1894. This painting is finest example
of black and white block print on Japanese vellum. In this painting, Salome is shown with a long black robe
and on the table is the head of John the Baptist.
4 The Beethoven Frieze is a painting produced by Gustav Klimt in 1901. This painting can be viewed at
Secession Building, Vienna, Austria. The Australian painter depicted a human desire for happiness through
this painting in a suffering and tempestuous world. 14
5 Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I is a painting produced by Gustav Klimt in 1907. This painting is also widely
known by the name The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold. This portrait can be viewed at Neue Galerie,
New York.15
6 The Slav Epic is a painting produced by Alfons Mucha between 1910 and 1928. This painting is a series of
20 large canvases that the Czech artist painted. Throughout this painting, Alfons Mucha tried to show the
mythology and history of Czechs and other Slavic peoples.
7 Moulin Rouge: La Goulue is a painting produced by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in 1891. In this painting, the
French artist has depicted the famous cancan dancer La Goulue and her flexible partner Valentine le désossé.

On May, https://www.theartist.me/art-inspiration/7-art-nouveau-masterpieces /
12 The Artist ,Last Access
13
Artlex”, Accessed, May 17, 2023, https://www.artlex.com/art-movements/cubism/.

14 "Professor Khaled M. Devidar", Article The Art Nouveau Style ,The British University in Egypt, Research Gate 2018, page # 2
15 Abid
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The Defining Features of Art Nouveau Design and Architecture

Architecture comprises free-flowing and ornamental designs that can be seen on the streets of Paris,
Barcelona, and other romantic cities built at the turn of the century. The Art Nouveau movement was
rooted in the organic form and feminine lines, which resulted in striking designs that are almost
impossible to recreate today. Still, Art Nouveau enchants many homeowners who want aspects of
these design features for themselves. Our Texas architects define Art Nouveau architecture and the
iconic design elements that became associated with the movement. Our Austin-based design team
will also highlight key architects of the era and how to incorporate Art Nouveau style elements in
your home with a contemporary twist
The Art Nouveau movement is a decorative style of art and architecture that rejected the mass-
produced aesthetic of the Industrial Revolution by embracing organic and natural forms. It was
popular from 1890 to 1910 throughout Europe and the United States. This design movement is
known for its organic lines, intricate patterns, diverse use of materials, and earthy colors. Ironically,
modern industry allowed materials to be molded into natural forms, but a commitment to unique
craftsmanship and design prevailed. Art Nouveau is a French term that means "New Art," reflecting
the attempt to create a new style that was free of machine-made uniformity.
Architectural Features of the Art Nouveau Style ASYMMETRICAL LINES AND MOVEMENT
Art Nouveau draws inspiration from plants, insects, and wildlife. Architectural designs abandon
straight edges in favor of flowing lines, repeating rhythm, and asymmetry for a natural feel.
Asymmetrical lines mimic the look of organic curves, and repetition of patterns creates movement to
make the structure feel alive.16 ORGANIC MOTIFS Motifs or repeating design patterns include
depictions of organic shapes, like flower buds, plant stalks, vines, insects, and even female forms.
These motifs are apparent in relief carvings, ironwork, tilework, and paintings WIDE
COMBINATION OF MATERIALS With access to new technologies of the Industrial Revolution,
Art Nouveau architects could use a wide combination of materials like iron, glass, concrete, wood,
and ceramic to create free-form and nature-inspired forms. SCULPTURAL CONCRETE AND
IRONWORK Sculptural concrete and ironwork are prevalent on many Art Nouveau exteriors.
Intricate iron gates, railings, and balconies traditionally feature vine-like patterns and asymmetrical
balusters. Architects like Antonio Gaudí designed highly sculptural facades, sometimes completely
free of flat surfaces. . . EARTH AND JEWEL TONE COLOR PALETTESArt Nouveau draws
inspiration from the color palette already provided by nature. Architects and designers traditionally
incorporated greens and browns as the base of their designs and accented with rich jewel tones like
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ters
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

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