"An international style of decoration and architecture which developed in the 1880s and 1890s which lasted until the first world war. The name derives from the Maison de l'Art Nouveau, an interior design gallery opened in Paris in 1896, but in fact the movement had different names throughout Europe. In Germany it was known as 'Jugendstil', from the magazine Diejugend (Youth) published from 1896; in Italy 'Stile Liberty' (after the London store, Liberty Style) or 'Floreale'; in Spain 'Modernista', in Austria 'Sezessionstil' and, paradoxically, in France the English term 'Modern Style' was often used, emphasizing the English origins of the movement. "In design Art Nouveau was characterized by flat, decorative patterns; intertwined organic forms such as stems or flowers with writhing plant forms, curvilinear depiction of leaves and flowers, often in the form of vines, sinuous lines and curves although right-angled forms are also typical, especially as the style was practiced in Scotland and in Austria. It emphasized handcrafting as opposed to machine manufacturing; the use of new materials; and the rejection of earlier styles. The style pervaded a range of art forms from architecture and interior design, furniture to printmaking, illustration, glass design pottery, jewelry textiles, wrought iron works and graphic design typography. 2-dimensional Art Nouveau pieces were painted, drawn, and quite popular in printed material like advertising, posters, labels, magazines and the like. This was a sharp contrast to the traditional separation of art into the distinct categories of fine art (painting and sculpture) and applied arts (ceramics, furniture, and other practical objects). “The defining characteristic of Art Nouveau – the factor that made it into an intellectually and socially cohesive force – was modernity. It was the first deliberate, internationally based attempt to transform visual culture through a commitment to the idea of the modern.” – to fit with a world that was becoming increasingly new and changed in every way possible. (The Essence of Art Nouveau, Paul Greenhalgh) "In Britain the style was exemplified by the architecture of Rennie Mackintosh, Aubrey Beardsley illustrated images for contemporary literature that showcased the curvilinear style. "In France, despite Hector Guimard's famous glass and iron Metro designs, the movement was best expressed in the applied arts, especially the glassware and jewelry of Rene Lalique ( ) and Emile Galle ( ). In Belgium, the style was promoted through the Societe des Vingts (Les Vingt) established in 1884, including architects Horta and Van de Velde in its members. Alphonse Mucha (Czechoslovakian, ), designed posters in the style after moving to France. In Spain the style was concentrated in the eccentric hands of Antonio Gaudi in Barcelona. In Vienna, architects like Wagner and Hoffmann, and artists such as Klimt Gustav Klimt (Austrian, ), gathered to promote the style through the Secessionist magazine Ver Sacrum.. In America architects like Sullivan and Wright were influenced by European ideas but conceived Art Nouveau in different terms, whilst designers like Louis Comfort Tiffany enthusiastically embraced the movement in his stained glass works.

Art nouveau in Britain evolved out of the already established arts and crafts movement. Founded in 1861 by English designer William Morris, the arts and crafts movement emphasized the importance of handcrafted work. Morris's devotion to handmade articles was a reaction against shoddy machine-made products that were flooding the English marketplace as the industrial revolution expanded. The arts and crafts movement also promoted a totally designed environment in which everything from wallpaper to silverware is made according to a unified design. British art nouveau designers of the 1890s shared Morris's dedication to hand-crafted work and integrated designs. To these principles they added new forms and materials, establishing the aesthetic of the art nouveau style. In the graphic arts, Aubrey Beardsley drew illustrations for periodicals such as The Yellow Book ( ), and for an edition of the play Salomé (1894) by Irish-born writer Oscar Wilde. Beardsley's vigorous use of line and distinctive double-curves known as whiplash lines have become equated with British art nouveau in the popular imagination. From

Aubrey Beardsley, Illustrations for Oscar Wilde’s Salome, 1892 Perverse eroticism Decadence Drips of blood from head turn into curving plant forms

Gustav Klimt: Hygieia Gustav Klimt:Water Serpents The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze

Alphonse Mucha was born in 1860 in Ivancice, Moravia, which is near the city of Brno in the modern Czech Republic. Like every aspiring artist of the day, Mucha ended up in Paris in His way was based on a strong composition, sensuous curves derived from nature, refined decorative elements and natural colors. The Art Nouveau precepts were used, too, but never at the expense of his vision. Bernhardt signed him to a six year contract to design her posters and sets and costumes for her plays. Mucha was an overnight success at the age of 34, after seven years of hard work in Paris. by Jim Vadeboncoeur, Jr.

Staircase of Hotel Tassel; by Victor Horta, Bruxelles; Art Nouveau furniture by the cabinet-maker Louis Majorelle, one of the most influential desig ners of the Art Nouveau movement

Metro Station, Paris Hector Germain Guimard's subway entrances for the Paris Metro (early 1900s) are his most famous creations. Using wrought iron, bronze, and glass, Guimard composed his structures using the curves characteristic of the Art Nouveau style

Casa Mila was built in Barcelon, Spain between Style is Art Nouveau in urban context.Building type is multifamily housing. This work of Antonio Gaudi is characterize with expressionistic, fantastic, organic forms in undulating facade and roof line; light court. Sagrada Familia The Greatest work of Antonio Gaudi It was built in Barcelona, Spain between Style is expressionist in urban context. Building type is church and it is called "Church of the Holy Family". This work Gaudi could not complete before his death.

Victor Horta's House The elaborate wrought-iron and glass-window facade, center, of this house in Brussels, designed and built in 1898 by Belgian architect Baron Victor Horta, displays his preference for the European style of art known as art nouveau. The architect's decorative "whiplash lines," inspired by the look of natural vegetation, flow throughout the house's exterior design. Noted for his emphasis on ornamentation, Horta created buildings with elaborate exteriors and carefully planned interiors.

’The Tree of Life stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany ( ) Emile Galle Glass Lamp Emile Gale Vases Tiffany Lamp

Art Nouveau Jewelry