Art Nouveau emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against historical revival styles. It originated in different parts of Europe, being called "Style Liberty" in Italy and "Jugendstil" in Germany. Characterized by flowing, organic lines inspired by nature, Art Nouveau was widely used for furniture, interior decoration, and other decorative objects. Notable artists who worked in the style included Aubrey Beardsley, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Emile Gallé, and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Architects like Antoni Gaudí and Victor Horta also incorporated Art Nouveau elements into their buildings.

1. Art Nouveau Style
rt Nouveau, the “new art”, emerged as a group of related styles more or less
simultaneously in various parts of Europe as a reaction against the muddle of historical
revivals of the 19th century. In Belgium is was known as the “eel” or “noodle” style from
its characteristic looped lines and whiplash curves. In Germany it was named the
“Jugendstil” after the periodical “Jugend”, while in Vienna it was linked with the artists
of the Wiener Secession. There was considerable resistance to the style in England
although, in Italy, it was known as the “Stile Liberty” after the firm of Liberty & Co. of
London. In England the style really only affected wallpapers, textiles and the decorative
arts. Even the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School, with their
rather severe version of Art Nouveau, had more impact on the Continent.
The earliest examples of the style are believed to be an 1883 book illustration and
some textile designs by Arthur Mackmurdo, the English architect and designer who was a
friend of Ruskin and Morris, and who founded the Century Guild. Mackmurdo’s designs
are thought to have been influenced by the “bizarre silks” with their asymmetric floral
patterns combined with jagged lines, which were woven in the early 18th century.
The term “l’Art Nouveau” was taken from the name of Siegfried Bing’s influential shop
Maison de l’Art Nouveau in Paris, which from 1895 to 1905 formed a showcase for the
best in modern European and American design. Although the Art Nouveau style was a
modern style it drew on historic traditions, notably the Gothic and the rococo and oriental
styles, particularly the Japanese.
Art Nouveau was an ornate style, characterised by long, flowing lines that twisted in
snakelike fashion. It was used mainly for furniture and interior decoration and in the
design of glassware, jewellery, and other ornamental objects. Some artists used the Art
Nouveau style for such graphic design works as book illustrations and posters.
The drawings of the English artists Aubrey Beardsley and the posters of Henri de
Toulouse-Lautrec are outstanding examples of Art Nouveau graphic design. Other
leading figures in the Art Nouveau movement included Emile Gallé of France and Louis

2. Comfort Tiffany of the United States, both of whom created colourful glassware.
Architects like Antonio Gaudi of Spain and Victor Horta of Belgium also incorporated
elements of the style in their work.
Art Nouveau in brief:
 Panelled in wood with vine-like tendrils and voluptuous plants framing the panels
in asymmetrical forms;
 Wallpapers with themes of flowing flowers and seaweed-like forms;
 Friezes of similar patterns popular;
 Dado rail usually omitted;
 Ceilings generally plain.
Art NouveauFurnitureand Fabrics
Art Nouveau furniture featured design elements based on natural forms, such as
blossoms, roots, stalks, and vines. Designers combined these forms with a graceful motif
called a whiplash curve. Art Nouveau decorations often included female heads
surrounded by flowing hair. Fabrics included printed cottons, cretonnes, stamped velvets,
stencilled linens.
Art Nouveau Furniture and Fabrics in brief:
 Two styles, one with curving organic lines that give furniture an appearance of
growing from the floor, made of cherrywood, walnut and mahogany;
 The other style in vertical forms with any Art Nouveau flowers controlled within
a framework of chair backs, or set into cabinet doors, a very modern in design;
 Printed cotton, cretonne, stamped velvet, stencilled linen.
Art NouveauColours
The colours associated with Art Nouveau were pale and included mauve pinks, greens,
turquoise, Peacock blue, yellow, black and silver.
Art NouveauWindows
A typical Art Nouveau window would have had no decorative surround and would have
been set flush with the wall. Stained glass was very much a part of this style and appeared
on sashes, casements and even French windows.

3. Many designs were elaborate, depicting birds or plants, while sometimes they were
in abstract shapes. Stained glass was often used on staircase or landing windows for
privacy.
Art Nouveau Windows in brief:
 Windows often casement with leaded panes set with coloured glass with Art
Nouveau patterns.
Art NouveauLighting
Glass lamps in plant-like forms by Tiffany, Gallé, Daum brothers, lit by electricity.
Art NouveauFloors
Polished boards or carpets designed to match decorative scheme.
Art NouveauDoors
Doors reveal panels with carving that matches scheme of the room.
Art NouveauBuildingsand Museums
The Victorian & Albert Museum, The Bethnal Green Museum, The Brighton Museum,
Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, Musée de l’Ecole de Nancy, Casa Batlló in
Barcelona, Casa Milá in Barcelona, Hotel Solvay in Brussels, Maxim’s Paris, Vagenonde
Restaurant Paris, Paris Métro entrances, Glasgow School of Art, The Hill House in
Helensburgh.