The style known as Art Nouveau became popular at the turn of the 20th century. Though its most often tied to architecture and the decorative arts, at the turn of the century, the movement was all encompassing and included painting and the graphic arts as well as furniture and interior design.
Instructions
Identify Art Nouveau Paintings
1. Know that the most recognizable characteristic of Art Nouveau paintings is the use of curvilinear form. These paintings exhibited sinewy lines that seem to move across the canvas. Think tendrils and vines found in nature.
2. Recognize that natural forms are integral to Art Nouveau painting. The flow and curve of flower petals, the dramatic height of lean-stemmed plants and the undulating sweep of windswept landscapes are inspirational to the Art Nouveau style. But these forms are expressed in the abstract; realism is the influence of Art Nouveau but is not the goal in representation.
3. Accept that Symbolist art was influential on Art Nouveau painters. Though you need not search out the symbolic meaning of elements in an Art Nouveau painting to appreciate it, understanding that the distortions of reality (such as elongated figures) are representative of cultural mores does aid in identifying the style.
4. Learn that natural elements, particularly flowers, and beautiful women were dominant elements in Art Nouveau paintings. Both women (and men) and flowers were exaggerated in form. Gustav Klimt’s paintings best represent this characteristic. His now iconic “The Kiss” is quintessential Art Nouveau painting.
5. Realize that Art Nouveau painters were also influenced by Asian art and specifically Japanese art. The clean lines combined with intricate scrollwork common to Japanese art are easily recognizable in the Art Nouveau style.
