POST 02: Art Nouveau




Beautiful Art Nouveau conservatory ~ Ursuline convent, near Antwerp in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, Belgium


Previously we learned and talked about the Arts and Crafts movement. So it is no surprises that it is followed with the Art Nouveau movement. The Art Nouveau meaning "new art" began in the end of the British Arts and Crafts movement, in 1890. I think, it is interesting how both movements resemble to each other and has the same influences and inspirations when it comes to looking at nature, for example. But, for the Art Nouveau movement it was their "MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE."

William Morris, who was the center figure of the Arts and Crafts movement is undeniably one of the most influential artists who inspired the Art Nouveau movement in Europe, alongside John Ruskin and Eugene Viollet- le- Duc. And, as I have discussed previously in the latter post, it is incredible that the unity of arts remained in that period, because the movement was present in architecture, in interiors and designed objects such as jewelry, furniture, etcetera.
Louis Majorelle - Wall Cabinet - Walters 6587.jpg
Cabinet designed by Louis Majorelle.

“Acorn” Tiffany Lamp Table Lamps Tiffany Lamps Antique Tiffany Lamps Tiffany Lamps Art Nouveau
Tiffany lamp table.




However, it is believed that the movement took the name of a gallery in Paris that opened in 1895 by Siegfried Samuel Bing, an art dealer. In that gallery, graphics, and several art forms displayed the new style.

What I really like and appreciate about that movement, is the fact that I have seen or heard about several works without knowing they were apart of that particular movement. The movement is also identifiable with its use of natural forms that always portray nature, because of its beauty, but, I believe, to also connect humans with nature too. And, I believe that biomimicry (imitating nature in design) began seriously in that period. As an example, Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish Catalan architect, is known to have built the church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The church which is obviously a work that goes into the category of the Art Nouveau has a lot of natural forms inside and outside the building. Gaudi wanted the church to feel sacred, as well to be a place for the worshipper to feel alone and in peace. Gaudi, then achieved this purpose by getting inspiration from the forest, by building many long columns with branches that would resemble to trees. 
Antoni Gaudi - Architecture - Art Nouveau - Modernisme Catalan - Nave central de la Sagrada Familia
Interior of the Sagrada Familia.


Current Applications:

Painting by Heart Evangelist, Filipina painter inspired by Gustave Klimt, an Austrian painter of the Art Nouveau movement.







Appartement Art nouveau et Moderne a Barcelone
A modern apartment influenced by Art Nouveau.



ONE STEP FURTHER

For this movement, I am choosing Hector Guimard (1867-1942), a French architect born in Lyon. I have walked through, loved, and seen his works before knowing it was his, and, before knowing it was from this movement in particular. 

Hector Guimard was greatly inspired by the theories of Eugene Viollet- le- Duc, which made him acquainted with the movement of Art Nouveau.

What I love about his works, is that it seems available to everyone to enjoy. His pieces were decorative for the city, in Paris. Because of his works, Paris has a certain aesthetic and beauty that is viewed by many.
Coillion House in Lille

Entrance to Porte Dauphine metro station. (Paris)






Comments

  1. Professor VanderNoordaaJanuary 29, 2018 at 1:24 PM

    Marthe,
    I appreciate your summary and visual examples of the Art Nouveau movement. You are right in that the focus on nature and natural objects is very similar to the Biophilic Design movement of today. The designers and architects of this period understood the importance of using nature as a reference for design.
    A enjoyed your example of Antoni Gaudi and his contributions to Art Nouveau. Also Gustauv Klimt as a very important artist of this time.
    I am so glad you focused on Hector Guimard as I imagined you would have personally experienced some of his design in France.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eunice Slanwa January 29, 2018 at 7:28 PM

    Martha, I also have come across so many designs that I did not classify as Art Nouveau because I had no knowledge of the movement; I am glad that now I do. I also like that you made a connection between this movement and mimicry and biophilia because they both use things found in nature. Though with biophilia and mimicry, they use nature literally, whereas with Art Nouveau it was the motifs they used. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. amberbuieFebruary 2, 2018 at 2:34 PM

    Martha,
    I also think I have had multiple experiences where I have glanced at Art Nouveau work but have not known how to classify it. And because Art Nouveau has a sense of biophilia that you mentioned, I believe we will be seeing more of Art Nouveau inspired art, interiors, and furniture. People crave that interaction with nature. I also think it is really cool that you have already experienced some of this work. We will get to see the interiors of Sagrada Familia too!

    ReplyDelete

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