ART NOUVEAU (GENERAL & CHARACTERISTICS)

Rejection of Victorian styles

Art Nouveau rejected Victorian historic revivals and eclectic combinations of past styles

Modern materials and techniques

Designers used iron glass and other modern materials and took advantage of new technologies such as electric lighting

Relationship with fine arts

Art Nouveau integrated painting bas-relief and sculpture into architecture and interior design

Nature-based ornamentation

Decoration was based on natural forms like flowers vines shells feathers and insect wings as well as abstract shapes derived from them

Curvilinear forms

Curving S-shaped "whiplash" lines became the most visible Art Nouveau motif

Fields of Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau appeared in illustration typography posters painting sculpture fashion jewelry ceramics glass silver and furniture culminating in complete interiors and architecture

Late nineteenth century

The late nineteenth century was a period of relative peace and prosperity in continental Europe that supported new and experimental directions in design

Art Nouveau

Many unrelated design developments shared common features that came to be known collectively as the Art Nouveau movement

Jugendstil

The German term for Art Nouveau meaning "the young style" or "style of youth"

Liberty style

The English term for Art Nouveau derived from the London shop Liberty that sold related objects

Proto-Art Nouveau

A.H. Mackmurdo's swirling flower-like chair backs and book designs were identified as early examples of Art Nouveau qualities

C.F.A. Voysey

His textile prints used free plant-form curves bridging the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements

Christopher Dresser

His design philosophy was based largely on his knowledge of botany influencing nature-inspired ornament

Aubrey Beardsley

English illustrator known for fantastically curving linear forms characteristic of early Art Nouveau graphics

Alphonse Mucha

Created French posters featuring flowing lines and stylized natural motifs typical of Art Nouveau

Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Pierre Bonnard

Their posters and artworks reflected Art Nouveau themes and aesthetics

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