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Art Nouveau vs. Art Deco

Which characteristics define each of these artistic movements?

Which characteristics define each of these artistic movements?

Jan / Feb 2026
Written by Katie Brickner

Can you tell whether a building, a piece of furniture, or a necklace is Art Nouveau or Art Deco? Although the two styles have many differences, the artists and designers who were at the forefront of each had two common goals: to integrate designs across art forms and to ensure that form always followed function. Read on to learn what makes these artistic movements similar, what makes them different, and the cultural values that elevated—and ended—each.

Look at the works shown here. Can you tell if each one is Art Nouveau or Art Deco? The two styles have many differences. But the artists in each movement had two common goals. They all wanted their styles to work across different forms of art and design. And they wanted to make sure their creations were as useful as they were beautiful.

Art Nouveau

1890-1910

Inspired By:

  • Nature
  • Japanese woodblock prints

Key Characteristics:

  • Curving, organic whiplash lines
  • Asymmetrical balance
  • Soft, earthy palettes
  • Flattened shapes
  • Stylized designs
  • Hand-crafted aesthetic

1890-1910

Inspired By:

  • Nature
  • Japanese woodblock prints

Key Characteristics:

  • Curving, natural whiplash lines
  • Asymmetrical balance
  • Soft, earthy colors
  • Flat, abstract shapes
  • Stylized designs
  • Hand-crafted look

Georges Fouquet (1862-1957), Art Nouveau Opal, Diamond, and Enamel “Cedars” Pendant Necklace, 1901. Diamond-set cascade between opal panels, textured gold cedar surmount, suspending a baroque pearl. Christie’s/Bridgeman Art Library

Organic Shapes

Nature is unruly, and so is Art Nouveau. Notice how the trees in this necklace by Georges Fouquet are asymmetrical. They hover above a waterfall of precious and semi-precious materials including opal, enamel, and diamonds.

Nature is wild. So is Art Nouveau! Look at the trees in this necklace by Georges Fouquet. They are asymmetrical. They float above a waterfall made of luxurious materials. These include opal, enamel, and diamonds.

Victor Horta (1861-1947), Tassel House, Brussels, 1893. Henry Townsend/Wikipedia Commons

Whiplash Lines

Victor Horta’s 1893 Tassel House in Belguim is a clear example of holistic design. Whiplash lines appear in the sweeping banister, the tile pattern, and the wall decor, dramatically unifying the space.

This is Victor Horta’s 1893 Tassel House. It shows Art Nouveau style in architecture. Whiplash lines appear in the banister of the staircase. The tile pattern on the floor and décor on the wall unify the space.

Léon Kann (1859-1925), Sèvres Manufactory, 1900-04. Hard-paste porcelain. Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, NY

Natural Forms

To make this coffee pot in 1900, Léon Kann applied enamel to unglazed porcelain. It echoes the asymmetrical, natural shape and gentle pastels of a fennel bulb.

Léon Kann made this ceramic coffee pot by hand in 1900. To give it its gentle color, he applied enamel to delicate clay. He also gave it a natural, asymmetrical shape. It looks like a bulb of fennel!

End of an Era

Many people found Art Nouveau to be unruly and hard to enjoy. They craved order, which led to the rise of Art Deco.

World War I was chaotic. When it ended, critics found Art Nouveau too chaotic as well. Instead, they craved order. That led to the rise of Art Deco.

Art Deco

1900-1945

Inspired By:

  • Ancient Egyptian and other ancient African cultures
  • Aztec and other ancient Central American cultures
  • Chinese and Japanese cultures
  • Cubism

Key Characteristics:

  • Hard-edged, geometric designs
  • Symmetrical balance
  • Bright, contrasting color palettes
  • Flattened, abstract shapes
  • Stylized designs and patterns
  • Sleek, machine-age aesthetic

1900-1945

Inspired By:

  • Ancient Egypt and other ancient African cultures
  • Aztec and other ancient Central American cultures
  • Chinese and Japanese cultures
  • Cubism

Key Characteristics:

  • Hard-edge, geometric designs
  • Symmetrical balance
  • Bright, contrasting colors
  • Flat, abstract shapes
  • Stylized designs and patterns
  • Sleek, mechanical look

Angelo Hornak/Corbis via Getty Images

Ancient Patterns

Art Deco architecture emphasizes bold shapes and vertical lines that draw the eye up. It also shows off modern building materials, such as concrete, glass, and highly polished metal and wood. The elevator doors of the Chrysler Building feature an ornate, symmetrical pattern. Repeating shapes evoke luxury and hint at the ancient cultures that inspire much of Art Deco design.

Art Deco architecture uses bold shapes and vertical lines. These draw the eye upward. Designers also show off modern building materials. These include concrete, glass, and polished metal. Look at the elevator doors of the Chrysler Building. They feature a detailed, symmetrical pattern. Repeating shapes give a sense of luxury. They also hint at the ancient cultures that inspire Art Deco design.

Art Deco Ruby and Diamond Brooch, c. 1935. Christie’s/Bridgeman Art Library.

Sleek Geometry

Hollywood embraced Art Deco’s glamour. Movie stars sparkled in jewelry made of precious stones like the diamonds and rubies in this c. 1935 brooch. Notice how some of the stones are cut into stacked linear shapes that form two pyramids.

Hollywood loved the glamour of Art Deco. Movie stars wore sparkling jewelry made of precious stones. Look at the diamonds and rubies in this brooch from around 1935. The stones are cut into geometric shapes. Together, they form a dramatic circle.

 Peter Müller-Munk (1904-1967), Kettle on stand with burner, c. 1931. Silver and ivory. Metropolitan Museum of Art/Art Resource, NY.

Utility and Beauty

Art Deco designers seamlessly integrated form and function. This 1931 tea service by Peter Müller-Munk features unusual but functional design. A delicate pattern unites each silver-and-ivory piece.

Art Deco designers wanted to connect form and function. This 1931 tea set features an unusual but useful design. It was made by Peter Müller-Munk. A faint pattern stamped in the silver unites each piece.

End of an Era

World War II made Art Deco seem too decadent. The metals once used to adorn skyscrapers were instead used to make weapons. People bought less expensive, more practical products. But Art Deco didn’t disappear forever. Elements of it later appeared in mid-century modern architecture and design.

World War II made Art Deco seem impractical. Metals were needed to make weapons, not decorate skyscrapers. People started buying less expensive, more practical products. But Art Deco didn’t disappear. Elements of it later appeared in mid-century modern design.

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