Fan exciting, enticing new design
or many people, Art Nouveau was
aesthetic that enabled them to cast mediocrity to the side, and take on an extravagant new combination of past design elements with new design elements. Although the period itself was short-lived, lasting only from the late 19th century into the beginning of the 20th century, the period produced some of art’s most memorable pieces. By analyzing compositions with the concepts of emphasis on line, Oriental subthemes, and principal concepts of nature and femininity, one can see how incredibly unique and revolutionary the period of Art Nouveau really was.
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The first important feature was the line, a foundation of design in Art Nouveau. The concepts of twisting smoke, women’s long and flowing hair, and the waves of nature (such as the ocean and wind) were all popular things portrayed by lines. Line was also expressed in a new way: instead of continuing on in a fairly predictable way, the line would suddenly take a sharp turn in a new direction. The lines would also weave incredibly intricate patterns, becoming ornate and delicate. This line quality has been referred to as “a revolt from the cluttered naturalism of nineteenth century decoration,” and “a rejection of the picturesque details that had flowered in pseudo-Gothicism and the abbey mode.”
The Victor Horta House in Brussels Victor Horta
“Dance” Alphonse Mucha
Mcha represents a very strong and
oet Et Chandon by Alphonse Mu-
identifiable piece of Art Nouveau. The piece has such a strong emphasis on line and line quality, from the thin sweeping lines in the woman’s dress, to the thick white lines framing the piece. In addition to a woman being the character in this piece, the graphic is swimming in elegant patterns from top to bottom; both of these characteristics help to establish the Art Nouveau legitimacy of the composition. Another thing that makes this piece Art Nouveau is the use of typography. The typeface used is incredibly antique and classic looking. It has an organic tone from the soft gold coloring and also from the tiny pointed accents off of the lettering. This piece is beautiful, and helped establish Art Nouveau as a new and fascinating style.
“Moet Et Chandon” Alphonse Mucha
“Moet Et Chandon” Alphonse Mucha
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“Evening� Alphonse Mucha Staircase of the Maison & Atelier Of Victor Horta Victor Horta
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he second and most popular feature was an emphasis on nature and femininity. Nature and women were key subjects in Art Nouveau design. Artists loved to take aspects and subjects of nature and make them into rhythmic and repeated outlines in graphics and also in architecture. This focus on nature was part of the revolt against the machine age of design. In addition, women were almost always the chosen characters in pieces composed during Art Nouveau. Many qualities of the compositions were manipulated in a feminine, very elegant way.
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hen talking about Art Nouveau, it would be inconceivable to leave out Louis Comfort Tiffany. Known for his expertise in stained-glass art, one of his most important pieces was the “Magnolia Window.” This piece is all about nature and its organic elegance. The entire composition is formed by a completely new category of unique, abstract and dynamic shapes created through the iron lines forming the skeleton of the piece. The colors are simple, but incredibly communicative of nature and its elegant qualities; nature was the prime theme of compositions in the Art Nouveau movement. Tiffany also kept a strong emphasis on the power of line, another important principle. The iron lines no only serve as outlines for each individual piece of glass, but also establish themselves as one of the hierarchies in the piece. Tiffany did a great thing with his pieces of stained-glass: he captured the warmth and naturalness of nature within the confines of the cold materials of glass and iron.
“The Magnolia Window” Louis Comfort Tiffany
“Artists loved to take aspects
and subjects of nature and make them into rhythmic and repeated outlines” 5
“The Black Cape” Aubrey Beardsley
“The Climax” Aubrey Beardsley
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“The Peacock Skirt” Aubrey Beardsley
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he last important characteristic was an Oriental undertone. Designer James McNeil Whistler was primarily responsible for the Japanese and Oriental themes present in Art Nouveau. He applied their use of colors, their spare use of the line, and their master use of space to his designs. He also brought about an important design technique that would prove to be a primary when associated with Art Nouveau in interior design: he designed the room/home as a whole.
The Peacock Skirt by Aubrey Beardsley is a wonderful example of Art Nouveau qualities. This piece was composed in 1894, during Art Nouveau’s beginnings. The first thing that one will notice about this piece is the movement toward the bottom of the page through the use of line. The lines sweep in an extravagant fashion across the page and lead the viewer’s eye to the next most important aspect: the Oriental pattern on the skirt. The pattern placed not only on the skirt, but
also in the headpiece of the woman on the left show a strong emphasis on Oriental flare. Even things such as the delicate little flowers at the tips of the flowing lines have an Oriental feel to them. The organic feel to this piece also displayed through texture. The pattern on the skirt, for example, has a scaly texture, like one would see on a fish or lizard. Another texture found would be a feathery feel, as displayed in the headdress of the woman and in the peacock’s feathers on the left side of the piece. This piece is also heavily Art Nouveau for a reason not yet discussed: the piece is very vertical compositionally. Art Nouveau was infamous for employing tall vertical layouts for compositions.
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