Creation of Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau started in the 19th century in countries France, Belgium, Italy and Spain. The reason for Art Nouveau was the idea of Europeans wanting a movement that created something beautiful, functional, and brand new while being in a period of peace, prosperity, and advancements. By definition, Art Nouveau means "New Art."

BEGINNING OF ART NOUVEAU

Before diving into some inspiration and influence that Art Nouveau received, it is important to look at what was happening during the time period of 1890 in European countries- the time and place Art Nouveau started. 

During the late 19th century in Europe, politics was becoming a big topic due to collapse of communist that was happening. Additionally, authorities as well as the communities did not know how to use to medical turbulence that was happening with the increase that technology brought. This brought many advancements in scientific and medical knowledge to the point the government, scientistic, and researchers did not know how to dispense the new technology.

Accruing at this time was also a division in society based on social and economic status. The upper and middle class were succeeding while the lower class were struggling health wise and financially due to the hard and long labor work; with this the lower class was not being able to gain medical attention because of low income. 

The reason why being in the upper and middle class was important to achieve during this time period with the advancement in technology was due to products produced using the manufacturing process. In design speaking, so many products such as furniture, materials, and accessaries were being created with manufacturing machines. Only people in the middle to upper class were able to afford and gain these items. 

                    Pictured to the right are manufacturing machines during the late 19th century

INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCES

Art Nouveau was inspired heavily by the commitment that William Morris showed when starting the Arts and Craft Movement, which gave people such as Siegfried Bing, Aubrey Beardsley and Victor Horta the courage and idea to start the movement of Art Nouveau. 

While the Art Nouveau Era was heavily influenced and inspired by the the Arts and Craft Movement, there are some major differences. Arts and Crafts was during an earlier time and did not have manufacturing machines while as the Art Nouveau was embracing the manufacturing process and technology. Additionally, Arts and Craft was based on the traditional medieval history, Art Nouveau did the opposite and went against basically tradition. Instead, Art Nouveau was inspired by nature. 

Pictured above is an interior of a home during the Arts and Craft Movement

With the inspiration of nature, it lead to the Japanese culture and architecture being an impact on Art Nouveau because of the focus on designing spaces with nature as its focal point and looking to flowers, birds, vines, and insects and as a source of inspiration.

Pictured to the left is an art piece from the Art Nouveau Era

In the picture shown, there are many nature attributes showcased in the interior such as stain glass window with vinery and the tablecloth, pillow, and rug having a relation to emphasis nature. The Arts and Craft Movement is also being emphasized in this interior space based on the heavy furniture, wooden columns, and wood door. 

                      The image to the right is a photograph of an interior during the Art Nouveau Era

Although the Arts and Craft Movement contributed to the use of wood being used in Art Nouveau, the type of wood is different. Art Nouveau was an elegant and rich time period so with that said, Art Nouveau was the switch from using oak wood to more rich wood such as walnut and rosewood.     

The carved walnut Art Nouveau French corner chair captivates the difference in furniture from the Arts and Craft Movement. The use of walnut wood is being used while also adding more elegant characteristic of carving designs into the chair with a neutral tone of material for the chair patting. 

                              

Pictured above in a Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair

EUROPEAN ART NOUVEAU NOW

With the new discovery of Art Nouveau, it did not become long for the new style to spread and become popular. As stated early, Art Nouveau came from France and was spread through the European countries first.

A German- French art dealer who goes by the name of Siegfried Bling, started the Art Nouveau Movement by opening an art shop and selling art. Siegfried Bing went to the University of Paris 1900 exposition and talked about this new style of art and design. At these expositions, many architects, interior designers, and craftsman's came together to discuss and review design trends around the world in order to keep up to date with them. After Bing's exposition on the Art Nouveau Movement, it became to be known world-wide. 

Since the 19th century and now the 21st century, Art Nouveau has influenced art, architecture, interior design, graphic design, furniture, accessories, and jewelry. Like the 1890s, the Art Nouveau style can be mainly found in big luxurious homes today.

Photographed below is a modern interior style room

In the image of the interior space, it's decorated in a very lavish way from the ceiling to the floor. The gold ceiling comes from the Japanese culture and gives the space an expensive look which is what Art Nouveau is all about. With having the wood as an accent wall helps give the space a more rich look. A material used during the Art Nouveau is glass so having the "glass" feature in the room come from the windows allows a person to have an incredible view and connect to the outside. The last thing to note in the space is just the decor used throughout. The art which is a focal point in the room gives the room a modern and high- value look. 

Pictured below is architecture from the 19th century in the  Art Nouveau Era

Architecture during the 19th century was focused on Greek Revival, the Gothic Revival, and the Italianate; with that said, architects had to figure out a way to incorporate Art Nouveau while still having the traditional looks. 

 

The 19th century architecture has a very gothic look while also modernizing the Art Nouveau style by focusing on the details and cravings on the building. The characteristics shown in the building is the clean organic lines, intricate patterns, and natural and earthy colors while having a diverse use in materials. 

                            Pictured above is a modern building replicating the Art Nouveau Era    

The modern- day architecture for the Art Nouveau style still remains lavish and have an expensive meaning. For an example, Art Nouveau architecture would be used in buildings such as banks, city hall, expensive hotels, and some capital buildings. The photograph above still has the same characteristics as the 19th century buildings; such as the strong vertical lines, carvings in material, different materials used, and having a neutral shade. 

Pictured below is a modern interior space featuring Art Nouveau characteristics

Going back to interior design and focusing on the furniture in the image to the left; the wood being used is the same wood used in homes during the start of Art Nouveau. This interior space has a more modern look to it because of the open concept and minimalist look as well as the use in a neutral color used throughout the rooms. The flowers and art used in the room dedicates this space to the Art Nouveau Era. The focal point of the room is the mantel that has a huge attribute in making the space feel like it is from the Art Nouveau Era. The wood used with the carvings into it and the organic shape it contains just makes it a lot more expensive and rich than it would if the mantel was just rectangular shape.

ONE STEP FURTHER

One of the founders of the Art Nouveau Movement is Victor Horta. Horta was a Belgian architect, designer, and teacher. He focused more on using iron railings and hardware when designing buildings exterior and interiors. Additionally, his designs were cohesive by using different material and patterns on floors, walls, and ceilings. 

The most famous designs Victor Horta came up with was the "curtain- wall" which consisted of metal and glass- one of the main materials used during the Art Nouveau Movement. 

Image above is a portrait of architect, Victor Horta

                                                                                                                             Photo above is Victor Horta in Brussels 

Work that Horta is most famous for is his design and architecture in "major town houses of  Victor Horta" located in Brussels during the years of 1861- 1947. The town houses are four houses- Hotel Tassel, Hotel Solvay, Hotel van Estvelde, and Maison & Atelier Horta. The exterior and interior of the homes show the characteristic of the Art Nouveau Movement by the extravagant look, large windows, metal material, and curvilinear details. All four homes were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. 

Image below of the staircase in Hotel Tassel built and designed by Victor Horta      

Image above is the exterior of Hotel Solvay built by Victor Horta

EXTRA SOURCES

Explanation on Art Nouveau-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LettuxcTmtw

History of Art Nouveau's Architecture and Interior Design- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG9-Mk_uVVY

Victor Horta architecture during Art Nouveau Era- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmOuhpiYoBI