Art Nouveau

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” – William Morris

Art Nouveau was the most popular international movement from around 1880 to 1910 which was developed in a different ways around the world. Art Nouveau was known in many different names such as the Germans called it ‘Jungendstil’ which means young style, the Italians called it ‘Stile Liberty’, ‘ Modernista’ in Spain, the Austrians called it the ‘Sezessionstil’ and in America was considered to form part of the Arts and Crafts Movement. The Art Nouveau or Modern Style was born in France.

The Art Nouveau Movement is a French term for “new art form”. It came from la Maison de l’Art Nouveau. The Art Nouveau style wasn’t just applied on paintings and sculptures but as well on furniture, architecture, fabrics, jewelry and among others. This style is known for its highly decorative style based on the exploitation of floral motifs and foliage. The Art Nouveau style varies from organic to geometric. Its influences came from nature, Arts and Crafts, Rococo (France), Celtic art, Japanese art, Egyptian art and Gothic revival.

This image below shows a good and famous example of Art Nouveau style. The Metro entrance created by Hector Guimard in Paris seems to grow like the stems of flowers and spread out into careful placed stalks. This design was even copied and used elsewhere including places such as in Chicago. 

The mostly distinguish aspect is the overall look of the Art Nouveau object. Usually the object is full of curvy lines with smooth surfaces that will look as if it has grown from nature. Often, the artists use natural objects for inspiration such as seashells, flowers, animals among others. Additionally, the Art Nouveau was closely linked to Symbolism. The artists used this movement to try to show the truth using unrealistic objects. This could include religious icons or mythical creatures.

Hand by Emile Galle

This image shows a good example of symbolism. It is called Hand by Emile Galle. This glass sculpture shows a hand that is rising from the sea and is covered with seashells and algae. This sculpture means that mankind is in harmony with nature. This is clearly shown by how the way the waves, th algae, the shells and the hand are all made of complimentary materials and every part of this sculpture goes very well together. However, the hand looks like it is in danger of being over taken by the sea which means humans can be in danger because of nature. While mankind are controlling everything there is always the risk and possibility that a tidal wave or storm (nature) will take away the control.  

Fine examples of Art Nouveau are Louise Comfort Tiffany, glass work of Galle and the posters of Alphonse Mucha, Jules Cheret and among others.

Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha was born on 24^th July of 1860 in the town of Ivančice, Moravia and died in 14^th July of 1939. He was Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist. He is best known for his style and his paintings of female figures. He produced many illustrations, paintings, advertisements and designs.

As time passed, Mucha had developed his own style. His style is characterized by the art nouveau elements such as whiplash curves and tender colours. These elements were applied on images of young women with long hair and with wonderful, sophisticated costumes. These female images became his trademarks as time went by. He created the posters by using a printing technique called the lithography.

Job by Mucha

 Mucha’s best known advertising poster was the ‘Job’. The name Job was a trademark for Joseph Bardou Company which manufactures cigarette papers. In this poster, one can see a stunning female with her swirls of exaggerated abundant hair holding a cigarette in her hand. The cigarette’s rising smoke is intertwining with her hair and the company logo.One can see that the background is featuring Job monograms.

References

  

Alfonsmucha.org, (2014). Alphonse Maria Mucha - The complete works. [online] Available at: http://www.alfonsmucha.org/ [Accessed 1 Nov. 2014]

Metmuseum.org, (2014). Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [online] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/artn/hd_artn.htm  [Accessed 1 Nov. 2014]