There have been many influential artistic movements over the years, Art Nouveau being one of the most popular with the general public. Artists, architects and designers all fell under its spell during the 1880s, producing highly stylized pieces of work. Examples of magnificent buildings in the style can be found all over Europe, particularly in Paris, Prague, Budapest, Barcelona and Berlin. Other locations, such as London, New York City and St.Petersburg also have landmarks in the style.
The movement was brought to a wider audience at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1900. Art Nouveau embraced the modern use of technology on materials such as stained glass and wrought iron, which were used extensively in sculpture and functional items. A classic tradition was observed too in the use of motifs from the natural world, such as flowers or insects. Furniture, jewellery, lighting, textiles and posters were all part of the style.
Art Nouveau Painting Styles
For those artists that don’t like painting straight lines and using rulers, Art Nouveau is the ideal style to paint. Forget straight lines! You need lots of curves and swirls. Many Art Nouveau artists wanted to break away from classical art styles and express their artistic talents by using patterns of nature, like the curves and swirls of leaves or the ripples of water.
The origin of Art Nouveau originated from the name of an art shop in Paris, later becoming an entire art movement.
Famous Art Nouveau Artists
Antoni Gaudi is probably the most famous architect of the movement, still celebrated today for his eccentric buildings in Barcelona. He took the style to new heights, never making a straight line where a wavy one could do the job. His crowning glory was the city cathedral, left unfinished at the time of his death.
One of the leading exponents was Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a designer from Glasgow in Scotland. He brought his distinctive ideas to buildings, furniture and jewellery. Examples of his work are held in museums and his jewellery is constantly copied and sold. The French designer Rene Lalique was also a jewellery maker in the Art Noveau style and he also became famous for his work in glass making.
Many artists in the genre remain popular today and none more so than Gustav Klimt. The Austrian specialized in the female figure in paintings, drawings and murals. Some of his paintings have sold for extremely high prices and his work is mass produced in the form of prints, posters and furnishings. Aubrey Beardsley, an English artist and illustrator, is also still popular today. He is mostly known for his posters, drawn in ink and sometimes depicting controversial images.
The movement faded by the beginning of World War I. Times were hard and less expensive materials were favoured. A more modernist and less fussy design style came into favour, culminating in the Art Deco movement that would dominate through the 1920s and 1930s. There does remain, however, a nostalgic affection for Art Nouveau and the many expressive people caught up in it.
