Everyday Beauty

Show the energy of modern life— that was the thrilling task taken up by the artists and designers of Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau is French for “new art.” At the turn of the 20th century, European cities were buzzing with change, giving artists new inspiration. Academic art had prevailed for more than a century, and suddenly its realistic style and focus on the fine arts— painting and sculpture—felt limiting.

Art Nouveau artists believed in making everyday objects beautiful and creating unity across the fine arts and decorative arts, which had historically been separate. Inspired by nature, they experimented with asymmetrical designs and organic shapes, including the S-shaped whiplash line, which is now synonymous with the art movement.

How do you capture modern life? In the early 1900s, a group of artists started a movement called Art Nouveau. That means “new art.” For more than a century, most artists had focused on realistic art. Only the fine arts—painting and sculpture—were taken seriously. Art Nouveau’s creators believed in making everyday objects beautiful. They wanted to unite the fine arts and decorative arts.

Art Nouveau artists were inspired by nature. They used asymmetrical designs and organic shapes, like the S-shaped whiplash line.

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt helped define Art Nouveau’s style. Between 1905 and 1911, he created The Tree of Life, a mosaic frieze—a band of decoration on a wall. In the section above, which is a sketch for the final frieze, organic spirals curl around a figure. Klimt made this mosaic for a mansion in Belgium. It is an example of the luxury associated with Art Nouveau. He uses materials like gold leaf and mother of pearl to suggest wealth.

Gustav Klimt was an Austrian artist. Between 1905 and 1911, he created The Tree of Life. It’s a mosaic frieze—a band of decoration on a wall. The section above is a sketch for the final mosaic. Organic spirals curl around a figure.

Klimt made this mosaic for a mansion. He used materials like gold and pearl. These give the mosaic a feeling of wealth. Art Nouveau became known for this rich style.

The elements of art associated with Art Nouveau were also common in the graphic arts, elevating the importance of graphic design and illustration. The Peacock Skirt, above, by English illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, is asymmetrical. Repeating whiplash lines throughout the 1893 work create a unified design. Beardsley carefully contrasts the intricate peacock feathers in the skirt with stark negative space in the center, balancing the black-and-white image.

French artist Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec made a name for himself with his poster designs. His 1893 Divan Japonais, below, advertised a nightclub by the same name. The two faces in the foreground are detailed. But the artist only hints at the performers in the middle ground and background with a light wash of color, a series of diagonal lines, and a simple silhouette. He diagonally divides the scene, creating depth and balance.

English illustrator Aubrey Beardsley created The Peacock Skirt, above. It is asymmetrical, or uneven. Whiplash lines repeat throughout the 1893 print. This creates unity. The peacock feathers in the skirt have great detail. They contrast the white negative space in the center, which is stark and flat. This balances the image.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was a French graphic artist. He was known for his poster designs. His 1892 work Divan Japonais, below, was an advertisement for a nightclub. The two faces in the foreground are detailed. But the performers in the middle ground and background are not. They are depicted with faint color, diagonal lines, and silhouettes. This creates depth.

Art Nouveau designers were interested in creating unified spaces. They used key elements, like curving organic lines, in everything—from home decor to large public works. These cohesive spaces created a sense that the world was handcrafted in a new, modern style.

Clara Driscoll designed the Wisteria Lamp, below, between 1901 and 1902 for American company Tiffany Studios. The bronze base looks like the roots of a tree, climbing upward toward irregular branches. Approximately 2,000 pieces of cut glass evoke delicate flowers. The soft palette features natural, earthy colors and jewel tones.

Art Nouveau designers wanted to give the world a new style. They used the same artistic elements everywhere, like curving lines in large public works and home decor.

Clara Driscoll designed the Wisteria Lamp, below, between 1901 and 1902. The bronze base looks like the roots of a tree. The shade is made of about 2,000 pieces of cut glass.

In 1900, French architect Hector Guimard designed ornate entrances for more than 100 stations in the then-new Paris Métro subway system. With these cast iron gates, Guimard brought Art Nouveau to everyone. In the example below, dramatic lines radiate from the Métro sign. Glass panels between them create a shelter above the entrance, making it both decorative and functional. Guimard designed the entrances in modular sections so each one would be unique, but also to give the entrances throughout the city a unified style.

Art Nouveau was all the rage for nearly 25 years. But then the world changed, and this artistic movement suddenly seemed too disorderly. Click here to find out what happened next.

Hector Guimard was a French architect. In 1900, he designed ornate entrances for the then-new Paris Métro subway system.

In the example below, dramatic lines spread out from the Métro sign. Glass panels between them create a shelter. The result is both decorative and functional. Guimard designed the entrances so that each one was unique, but they all had a unified style.

Art Nouveau was popular for almost 25 years. Then suddenly, the style seemed too chaotic. Click here to find out what happened next.