By Karla Arevalo-Alas 3/11/11 Art Nouveau By Karla Arevalo-Alas 3/11/11

Historic Background The Art Nouveau is an artistic movement developed from the end of 19th century to the first quarter of 20th century. The first references of Art Nouveau are in England with the works of John Ruskin, influenced by gothic art, he published an enormous quantity of books on literature, painting, architecture, sculpture, aesthetics, and a lot of other social themes. In England, Ruskin was followed by Edward Coley Burne-Jones, William Morris , Walter Crane and others organized around the Art and Crafts Society founded in 1888, and helping a strong revival of arts. The Art Nouveau or Modern Style had  also a big development in other countries of Europe, creating the bases of modern architecture.

The Inspiration Art Nouveau was more than a mere style. It was a way of thinking about modern society; it was an attempt to redefine the meaning and nature of the work of art. From that time on, it was the duty of art not to overlook any everyday object, no matter how common it might be. This approach was considered completely new and revolutionary, thus the New Art - Art Nouveau name.

Characteristics Visual standards of the Art Nouveau style are flat, decorative patterns, intertwined organic forms of stems or flowers. Art Nouveau emphasized handcrafting as opposed to machine manufacturing. Although curving lines characterize Art Nouveau, right-angled forms are also typical.

Common Images Principal subjects are lavish birds and flowers, insects and multiple-sided figures. Abstract lines and shapes are used widely as a filling for recognizable subject matter. Purposeful elimination of three-dimensions is often applied through reduced shading. Art Nouveau artifacts are beautiful objects of art, but not necessarily very functional.

Art Nouveau in America The cities of New York and Chicago were heavily influenced by Art Nouveau. Aided by the patronage of financiers and industrialists, museums and galleries flourished in the style across New York Louis Comfort Tiffany, the most prominent face of the Art Nouveau movement in New York, used highly advanced glass technology to create distinctive pieces celebrating the natural world. After Chicago's great fire in 1871, the city was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style. The skyscrapers designed by Louis Sullivan were inspired by nature and Celtic Art and the buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright introduced stained glass and a Japanese influence to the city.

Louis Sullivan Chicago Stock Exchange

Nouveau Architecture

Paintings They often feature women (especially tall, slender, idealized women), flowing lines and curves, and lots of movement. It’s also common to see lots of flowers, vines, and interlocking, decorative patterns in an Art Nouveau piece. Lefevre-Utile by Alphonse Mucha, is a prime example of an Art Nouveau painting. The subject is a woman of course, placed artistically against a backdrop of leaves, with flowers in her hair, flowing cloth, and heart-shaped patterns all around.

Lefevre-Utile by Alphonse Mucha

Other Forms of Art Nouveau This approach has been represented in painting, architecture, furniture, glassware, graphic design, jewelry, pottery, metalwork, and textiles and sculpture. Art Nouveau has shaped the modern architecture, interior design, jewelry and the contemporary culture all over the world.