Art Nouveau is connected to Aesthetical movement, when Art was for Art's sake, and the Symbolist movement that promoted a meaning behind art. Thus the Arts and Crafts movement with its relations to nature and material, also lead to what is now called Art Nouveau or the New Art form.
Art Nouveau features many characteristics such as the whiplash curve, wobbly movements of lines and forms. We rarely see straight lines, inspiration is gathered from living organisms mainly insects and birds such as dragonflies, peacocks' and swans. Usually graceful animals that are valued and which look noble, beautiful and elegant. Materials are very often expensive and worthy, however with the production of steel, industrially wrought iron was used widely. Innovative exotic veneers, balconies, and tapered brackets in wrought iron were essential for Art Nouveau. Egyptian, Japanese and Celtic motifs can be found in patterns and objects, however they are not copied but rather modified to suit reality.
Antonio Gaudi is most renowned Art Nouveau architect, who projected wholeheartedly Art Nouveau architecture. He not only made the aesthetical revolution in architectural world, but also used the spaces in innovative way in order to build a comfortable and appealing space for humans. His designs were functional and beautiful.
Every piece of furniture, jewellery, products and posters, ceramics and sculpture were imbued with the New Style. Rene Lalique was the leading jewellery artist. He made a big use of the dragon fly form, however he did not create copies of insecets he incorporated female figure to add elegance to his work. His glassworks are all moving, they are, in a non-stop motion that lead our eyes by the curves of the works. New techniques and glass forms were found, like iridescent coating, or a velvety matte finish. The use of coloured materials was popularised, it can be seen in stoneware, terracotta panels, stained glass works and many others.
Many artists viewed the female figure as the main inspiration, the long hair, the draping loose clothes and curvy forms paved the way for developing new ideas. One of the sculptors who used these inspirational concepts was F.R. Larche. He managed to create massively flowing and beautifully light to eye bronze sculptures that ultimately created a feeling of movement.
Another two artists who are associated with Art Nouveau are Gustav Klimt and Aubrey Beardsley. Although Gustav Klimt was a painter his works are very poster like, featuring flatness of the roman and byzantine mosaics. The gilded background of Gustav's works reminds us of the godlike and heavens. The use of simple shapes like squares, is explained by the affiliation to the Vienna Secession group, which was more rigid and geometrical than Art Nouveau of central Europe.
Aubrey Beardsley was a graphical artist, who was under the influence of Japanese prints. The artist created posters mostly in black ink, the female figure got an erotic appearance, which was also grotesque and decadent.
Bringing up rear, we can hardly discuss the style of Art Nouveau in one post. However we can point out that it was a very decorative, rich in material, quality craftsmanship that was everywhere around the world. It was curvy and fantastic, as well as very expressive and impressive. Art Nouveau was erasing the past, by innovating the past.
References:
Aubry, F. About Art Nouveau. Available: http://www.artnouveau-net.eu/Network/ArtNouveau/AboutArtNouveau/tabid/133/language/en-GB/Default.aspx. Last accessed 15th Nov 2014.
Bergdoll, B (1986 ). Encyclopedia of 20th-Century Architecture. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated. 21-23.
Encyclopaedia of Art History. History of Art Nouveau . Available: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/art-nouveau.htm#history. Last accessed 9th Nov 2014.
Miller, J, 2006. Decorative Arts Style and Design from Classical to Contemporary. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p.188-235.
Art Nouveau features many characteristics such as the whiplash curve, wobbly movements of lines and forms. We rarely see straight lines, inspiration is gathered from living organisms mainly insects and birds such as dragonflies, peacocks' and swans. Usually graceful animals that are valued and which look noble, beautiful and elegant. Materials are very often expensive and worthy, however with the production of steel, industrially wrought iron was used widely. Innovative exotic veneers, balconies, and tapered brackets in wrought iron were essential for Art Nouveau. Egyptian, Japanese and Celtic motifs can be found in patterns and objects, however they are not copied but rather modified to suit reality.
Antonio Gaudi is most renowned Art Nouveau architect, who projected wholeheartedly Art Nouveau architecture. He not only made the aesthetical revolution in architectural world, but also used the spaces in innovative way in order to build a comfortable and appealing space for humans. His designs were functional and beautiful.
Every piece of furniture, jewellery, products and posters, ceramics and sculpture were imbued with the New Style. Rene Lalique was the leading jewellery artist. He made a big use of the dragon fly form, however he did not create copies of insecets he incorporated female figure to add elegance to his work. His glassworks are all moving, they are, in a non-stop motion that lead our eyes by the curves of the works. New techniques and glass forms were found, like iridescent coating, or a velvety matte finish. The use of coloured materials was popularised, it can be seen in stoneware, terracotta panels, stained glass works and many others.
Many artists viewed the female figure as the main inspiration, the long hair, the draping loose clothes and curvy forms paved the way for developing new ideas. One of the sculptors who used these inspirational concepts was F.R. Larche. He managed to create massively flowing and beautifully light to eye bronze sculptures that ultimately created a feeling of movement.
Another two artists who are associated with Art Nouveau are Gustav Klimt and Aubrey Beardsley. Although Gustav Klimt was a painter his works are very poster like, featuring flatness of the roman and byzantine mosaics. The gilded background of Gustav's works reminds us of the godlike and heavens. The use of simple shapes like squares, is explained by the affiliation to the Vienna Secession group, which was more rigid and geometrical than Art Nouveau of central Europe.
Aubrey Beardsley was a graphical artist, who was under the influence of Japanese prints. The artist created posters mostly in black ink, the female figure got an erotic appearance, which was also grotesque and decadent.
Bringing up rear, we can hardly discuss the style of Art Nouveau in one post. However we can point out that it was a very decorative, rich in material, quality craftsmanship that was everywhere around the world. It was curvy and fantastic, as well as very expressive and impressive. Art Nouveau was erasing the past, by innovating the past.
References:
Aubry, F. About Art Nouveau. Available: http://www.artnouveau-net.eu/Network/ArtNouveau/AboutArtNouveau/tabid/133/language/en-GB/Default.aspx. Last accessed 15th Nov 2014.
Bergdoll, B (1986 ). Encyclopedia of 20th-Century Architecture. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated. 21-23.
Encyclopaedia of Art History. History of Art Nouveau . Available: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/history-of-art/art-nouveau.htm#history. Last accessed 9th Nov 2014.
Miller, J, 2006. Decorative Arts Style and Design from Classical to Contemporary. London: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p.188-235.