Art Nouveau is characterized by long flowing lines of stems and leaves in juxtaposition to strong vertical and horizontal lines.
Art Nouveau functioned as a reaction to the heaviness of the Victorian era. The highpoint of this movement occurred from 1890 through 1910. This art movement was popular throughout Europe and the United States. One characteristic of Art Nouveau is the focus on everyday objects. Artists did not want to limit art to the museum or gallery and instead thought about how art could be incorporated into the everyday and the mundane.
Art Nouveau and architecture
The architect Frank Lloyd Wright is considered to be one of the most well known Art Nouveau architects. His structures emphasized form over function by integrating structures with the natural environment. He utilized simple forms, fluid transitions from room to room and intersecting surfaces in his work. His designs blended the necessities of function with nature and objects. All of these traits follow the philosophy of Art Nouveau. An example of Wright's contributions to Art Nouveau can be seen in the structure and much of the furniture Wright designed for the 1909 Chicago home. The home was designed with the landscape in mind with large rows of windows that overlook the woods. Wright constructed multiple levels that appear as if the home is part of the earth which surrounds it, rather than a structure sitting on top and apart from the environment.
Art Nouvueau and jewelry
Artisans used soft curved lines and typically had nature-related themes, such as animals and flowers. Natural stones were popular in jewelry making, including agate and opal. Long pearl necklaces are associated with the Art Nouveau movement. French designer Maurice Dufrene is perhaps the most famous Art Nouveau jewelry maker. His designs used by natural themes and smooth, curved lines. Dufrene created hundreds of pieces of jewelry, ranging from necklaces to brooches to rings.
Art Nouveau and furniture
Art Nouveau influenced interior design, especially the construction of furniture. Furniture had either long curvy lines or a more linear look. Furniture paid homage to flowers, stems, and roots. Furniture designers and creators used exotic woods. The French designers Emile Galle and Louis Majorelle created many pieces of furniture, ranging from work desks to bed frames. Galle frequently titled his pieces with inscriptions that emphasized their dual roles in functionality and aesthetics. For example, Galle's work table is inscribed with "Travail est Joie" (Work is Joy).
Art Nouveau and Tiffany
Art glass creator Louis Comfort Tiffany is the most famous artisan associated with the Art Nouveau movement. His art glass was used to create tiles, lamps, murals, windows, jewels and pottery. The famous Tiffany lamps were constructed out of multicolored glass, which was set in patterns which featured butterflies, dragonflies or other elements associated with nature.
