Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau was a movement that emerged towards the end of the 19th century. It had a significant influence on the decorative arts and architecture but was relatively short-lived and fell out of favour in the 1920s with the arrival of Art Deco.
Art Nouveau was symptomatic of the struggle between the old and the new. Whilst it rejected some of the revivalist styles of the 19th century, it did adopt some of the elements of Rococo, with organic forms and applied art typified by Hector Guimard's Paris metro entrances.
The central aim of Art Nouveau was to escape the eclectic historical styles that had come to dominate the late-19th century and so modernise design. Inspiration was drawn from both organic and geometric forms, merging flowing, natural designs with more angular and rigid contours.
The movement adopted the ethos ‘form follows function’; however, as the style progressed designers began to incorporate more lavish decorations which led to criticisms that a tendency towards the elaborate was in conflict with its original ideology.
Art Nouveau had significant influence on graphic and visual arts and was a major source of inspiration for architecture in European cities such as Paris, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Prime examples include the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest, and the Secession Building in Vienna, both of which demonstrate the style’s decorative and symmetric aesthetic. Also of note is the Grand Palais in Paris, which although predominantly Beaux Arts, drew from the Art Nouveau decorative style for the design of its interior glass dome.
Notable exponents of Art Nouveau in architecture include the American architect Louis Henry Sullivan, who used decorative plant-like ironmongery on traditionally structured buildings, and the Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi, who developed a highly-distinctive style to create curving, bulbous, and organic forms.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Aesthetic movement.
- Architectural styles.
- Art Deco.
- Art Moderne.
- Arts and craft movement
- Baroque architecture.
- Bauhaus.
- Beaux Arts style.
- Constructivist architecture.
- Deconstructivism.
- Edwardian architecture.
- High-tech architecture.
- Rococo.
[edit] External articles
- The Art Story - Art Nouveau
Featured articles and news
ECA Industry Awards 2024 shortlist revealed
22 leading businesses from across the electrotechnical and engineering services sector.
Government unveils Skills England strategy
Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth.
New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
For up to 2,600 civil servants, due for completion by 2028.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards
July update on Professionally Qualified and Academically Qualified Person Cards.
BSRIA Briefing 2024, November 22
Sustainable Futures: Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living.
The CLC on driving competency in the retrofit sector
Previously published roadmap on skills for net zero.
The first labour government King's speech in fifteen years
Construction industry reactions, support and some concern.
CIOB Retrofit of Buildings Technical Information Sheet
What retrofit is, the approach to be taken and processes to be followed.
Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency
Historic England advice note 18, free download published.
10 retrofit projects revisited 10 years after completion.
Information orders, building liability orders and SPVs
Key BSA terms and how they impact special purpose vehicles.
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.