(movement, 1880’s-1905)
Art Nouveau is a very sophisticated and opulent type of style because it covers the totality of art. All of the design embraces the whole structure; this means that it focuses not only the space itself but as well as what it is it such as the interior design, graphic art, household silver, textiles, furniture and among others.
Art Nouveau is more prominent especially in European countries and can be seen in wealthy families. The design in itself represents elegance and perhaps the stylishness is not limited as it can include with what can be seen inside the house.
The evolution of Art Nouveau started in 1895 when the German art dealer Siegfried Bing started a house gallery, Maison de l’Art Nouveau (House of New Art) in Paris. The gallery featured modern art and the decorative displays where strongly associated with the kind of style of Art Nouveau embodies.
As a form of art, Art Nouveau is related to the Symbolist styles and Pre-Raphaelites, and other artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley, Jan Toorop, Gustav Klimt and Edward Burne-Jones. Although, compared to Symbolist paintings, this kind of art is more distinct in appearance and Art Nouveau used machined surfaces, new materials and new concept to create a pure and clean design.
Art Nouveau’s rising popularity at time did not only influence the European countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain and many more; even countries from different continents such as Australia and countries such as Argentina, also adapted the said style. To date, the structures that manifested with this of style have still been preserved and some where even listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.
What makes Art Nouveau great is the fact that it never negated the use of machines. In fact, when it comes to sculptures, it primarily used wrought iron and glass and these are manifested particularly in architecture. Ceramics were also used in making different sculptures for this kind of style.
Although many favored Art Nouveau because of its elegance, the use of it has declined after the World War I because of monetary reason. Art Nouveau is said to be more expensive compared to the new styles employed during that time. Aside from that, the use of minimalism was then used to have a plainer and more industrial look.
In the recent years, Art Nouveau can still be seen and practiced. However, considering the change of times where modernism is at its top, it has slowly declined in popularity. But still, its art and beauty still endured the test of time.
