Week Three and Four- Art Nouveau

Chapter 19

Summary:

Art Nouveau vs Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts: inspired by medieval history and did not embrace manufacturing process.

Art Nouveau: not based on traditional or historical design but inspired by nature. Embraced technology and manufacturing process.

 

• Art Nouveau means “New Art”
• Europe was in a period of peace and prosperity
• Growth supported new and experimental directions in design
• Inspiration from William Morris in commitment to the arts as a united whole.
• Rejection of academic models/history to using nature as an inspiration for design
• Flowers, birds, vines and insects were used as sources of inspiration for design
• Britain point of origin
• Belgium and France were the leaders of the movement
• The European Architects associated with Art Nouveau were all accomplished furniture designers
• The term ‘Art Nouveau’ was a shop in Paris
• Germany, Spain and the Scandinavian countries were also affected
• Parallel movement - Vienna secession in Austria
• Awareness in Western countries

Characteristics of the movement:

• Rejection of Victorian style and any imitation of historical style
• Decorative Ornamentation based on natural forms
•  Use of modern materials (iron and glass)
• Modern techniques (industrial production and electricity)
• Relationship with fine arts - painting and sculpture
• Curvilinear forms as dominant
• “Whiplash” was the most visible motif
• Use of decorative ornamentation - flowers, vines, shells, bird feathers, insect wings
• Abstract forms were derived from these sources
• Facts and Theories
• Intentional escape from the historical based architectural theory of the Beaux- Arts
• Escape from unnecessary tradition and  imperial opulence 
• Revolt against the Victorian Style

 

Inspired by paintings by people like:

• Van Gogh
• Edvard Munch
• Gauguin
• Aubrey Beardsley

Important people in Art Nouveau

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1943)

• Education: National Academy of Design in New York CityDesigner in the decorative arts
• Gifted in painting, jewelry making, pottery, and glass
• Tiffany & Co. Louis Comfort Tiffany
• Methods and Materials
• Glass and Metal
• Art Nouveau Lamp Construction

Louis H Sullivan

• Education: Studied at MIT briefly at age 16  and studied at the Ecole des Beau-Arts- Paris for one year.
• Involved in the rebuilding of Chicago after the Chicago fire.
• Desired to create a new style of architecture that reflected contemporary America- used Art Nouveau style ornamentation
• The “father of skyscrapers”
• Often referred to as one of the pioneers of modernism
• “form follows function”
• Mentor of Frank Lloyd Wright
• Moved to Chicago in 1875
• Known for his rich ornamentation in a very personalized style
• Methods and Materials:
• Highly decorated architectural details inspired by nature and not by historical precedent. These details were applied to commercial buildings.
• First architect to use steel frames for skyscrapers
• Ability to create visual unity in tall buildings
• Steel and Terra Cotta

Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898)

• Nationality: British
• Medium: Illustration Art
• Aubrey Beardsley greatly influenced the Art Nouveau movement
• He was the most controversial artist of this period
• He used black and white on white paper
• Was influenced by Japanese artwork

 

Victor Horta (1861-1947)

• Belgian architect, designer, and teacher
• Education: Department of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent
• Most influential designer of this period
• Unique iron railings and hardware
• Stenciled walls and ceilings
• Mosaic tile patterns on the floors, walls and ceilings
• Elements of the design were cohesive
• Introduced the “curtain-wall” structure of metal and glass
•  

Henry Van de Velde- (1863-1957)

• Significant Belgian practitioner who began as a painter
• Education: Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp and Carolus Duran in Paris
• Examined the relationship between aesthetics and morality by observing nature
• Design philosophy that clarified Ornamentation vs. Ornament
• His furniture design was very sculptural and ergonomic
• Designed his own house in 1894
• Included: furniture, table silver, and kitchen cookware all in this fluid, curved style

 

Hector Guimard- (1867- 1942)

Most significant architect/designer in Paris

Architect, interior designer, industrial designer and writer

Education: The Ecole Nationale des Arts Decortiffs and Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris

• Designer of residential interiors and furnishings
• Designer of city signage and light standards (Metro- Paris)
• Methods and materials:
• Utilized technology to create prefabricated standardized elements for installations for the Paris Metro Subway Station
• Used an iron alloy, glass, and stone for the Paris Metro Kiosks
• Guimard’s designs looked handcrafted but were made in factories
• Incorporated superb materials, fine and unique design,n and carved wood in a curvilinear style
• Facts and Theories:
• Followed  the theories of Eugene Emmanuel Violette-le-Duc who renovated historical buildings using new and innovative designs and materials
• Inspired by Victor Horta
• Valued harmony and continuity

 

Antoni Gaudi (1852- 1926)

• Spanish Catalan architect-
• Graduated from Provincial School of Architecture
• Barcelona, Spain dominates figure
• Methods and Materials:
• Used flowing curves and unusual decorative details to create structures that resembled nature-based fantasy
• Used: glass, masonry, glazed ceramic tile, wrought iron and wood seamlessly
• Facts and Theories:
• Gaudi was inspired by oriental arts (India, Persia, Japan) through the study of the historicist architectural theoreticians, such as Walter Pater, John Ruskin, and William Morris.
• Neo-Gothic movement that was in fashion at the time, following the ideas of the French architect Violette-le-Duc
• Eventually, Gaudi embarked on a more personal phase, with the organic style inspired by nature in which he would build his major works.

Casa Batllo Traditional Art Nouveau arches

The modern version of an Art Nouveau arches 

Traditional Chair

Modern Chair 

Traditional Art Nouveau dining room 

A modern version of a dining room 

One Step Further:

Matt Hughes is an artist, writer, and designer who blends Art Nouveau and Gothic art to create a new art movement called Gothic Art Nouveau. His work explores themes of religion, mythology, death, and human nature. Here is some of his work: