Art Nouveau was a new style in the visual arts and architecture that developed between the 1880s and the 1910s. It was said to be the movement that would break connection with classical times and reconcile fine arts with applied arts. However, Art Nouveau was not simply an artistic style. It was also a way of thinking about the turn-of-the-century society and new production methods (brought by the Industrial Revolution). Art Nouveau attempted to redefine the meaning and nature of art, and stipulated that art should no longer look everyday, utilitarian objects. At the time, this philosophy was considered revolutionary and avant-garde, thus the name of the movement: Art Nouveau (New Art).
Art Nouveau stipulated that artists should work on things as varied as architecture and furniture so that art could become a part of people’s daily lives. The movement has effected many different fields, such as: painting, glassware, graphic design, jewelry, pottery, furniture, architecture, textiles, and sculpture. Even advertising posters were considered art. Because of the broad interpretation of Art Nouveau of what is considered art, the traditional separation of art into different categories (fine art and applied arts) became blurred and indistinguishable.
Art Nouveau utilized flat, decorative patterns that gave it the nickname of “the noodle style”. Curved lines are the hallmark of Art Nouveau, but right-angled forms were not uncommon, especially in Europe. One of the defining characteristics of Art Nouveau was its application of industrial techniques of the early 20th century and its use of new materials (this was largely due to advances during the Industrial Revolution). Typically, works created in the Art Nouveau style featured birds, flowers, insects, and polyformic femme fatale (a mysterious/seductive woman). Extra space was usually filled with abstract lines and shapes, and reduced shading was used to purposely eliminate the semblance of three dimensions.
Although Art Nouveau was meant to be an international movement, it was most popular in Europe, where it went by many names according to country. Art Nouveau was known in France as style Guimard, after French designer Hector Guimard; in Italy as the stile Floreale (floral style); stile Liberty, after British Art Nouveau designer Arthur Lasenby Liberty; in Spain as Modernisme; in Austria as Sezessionstil (Vienna Secession); and in Germany as Jugendstil.
Very well written. Sources would have made this perfect and also a mention of William Morris.
My source was: http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/c19th/artnouveau.htm
William Morris was born in Walthamstow, Essex, on 24 March 1834. He attended Marlborough and Exeter College with the intention of to take holy orders, however his readings of the social critics Carlyle, Kingsley, and Ruskin led him to renounce his devotion to the Church and instead pursue art. After a dabbling in the field of architecture (by way of an apprenticeship with G.E. Street), Morris decided to become a painter.
Morris’s career in the decorative arts began when he decorated the Red House, Bexleyheath, in the 1860s. His initial success led him to form the firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861. The firm was known throughout Britain for its beautiful stained-glass creations, which usually featured beautiful foliage patterns (typical of the style of art nouvea).
In addition to being highly involved in the arts, Morris was also interested in politics, joining radical socialist organizations such as National Liberal League and the Radical Union.
Source:http://www.morrissociety.org/bio.html