Art Nouveau

The word ‘Art Nouveau’ had numerous names, but we can all agree that the name was officially promoted by Siegfried Bing’s Gallery called ‘Maison de l’Art Nouveau’ in Paris.

Bing’s gallery had generated so much fame with his unique designs that art nouveau became a term to describe his style since they had become strongly linked.

The appearance of Art Nouveau was believed to be deeply influenced during the Arts and Crafts Movement led by William Morris. This Mid - nineteenth century arts and crafts began in England as a reaction to the excesses of Victorian culture and capitalism to factory work.

Art Nouveau was short- lived and its source of inspiration was believed to be nature. Artists wished to break away from their past styles and sought inspiration from organic and geometric forms. Therefore this style was developed which it was characterized by sinuous lines , decorative and ‘whiplash’ creating elegant designs.

Art nouveau had a likeness to the Pre-Raphaelites and the Symbolist styles however it had a unique difference – in order for artists to create pure design they required new materials and machined surfaces. Unlike the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau did not oppose machines; in fact it made use of them.