Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is an International modern art movement that started from 1880 to 1915 and was mainly centred in Western Europe. Art Nouveau is a French term which literally means New Art. This style of art extensively integrated all aspect of art with largely of organic, ornamental shapes and patterns. It was known by various names in different places and languages like Jugendstil in Germany, Stile Liberty in Italy, Sezession in Austria and Modernista or Modernismo in Spain.

Most prominently, art historians frequently attribute the birth of Art Nouveau as a natural reaction to the Industrial Revolution. The unique feature of this new art movement was that it demanded a high level of craftsmanship. Due to this the art produced was generally expensive and not meant for the average person. The exponents depicted their work using many symbols that were largely of an erotic nature, featuring dreamlike and exotic forms. Some of the prominent artist who practised this style included graphic artist Aubrey Beardsley, the Scottish architect Charles R. Mackintosh, painter Gustav Klimt, architect Antonio Gaud’, and illustrator Otto Eckmann, among others.

Being a rebellion against classical and traditional art, Art Nouveau was able to go beyond the borders of fine art and spread into commercial and decorative arts. The Art Nouveau jewellery, Art Nouveau designs, Art Nouveau prints, etc, are very popular antique and collectable items. Arts and designs inspired by this movement are available in many online as well as antique stores.