Getting Deeper Into Art Nouveau

Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Bar Stool 207

Art Nouveau generated a lot of graphic artists, décor enthusiasts and architects throughout Europe. This style came with a wide variety of choices and it eventually became known as Jugendstil in Germany or the Glasgow Style.

Art Nouveau’s aim was to modernize design. It sought to break free from the eclectic historical designs that have been popular back in the day.

Artists saw inspiration in many geometric and organic forms, thus, evolving from classic designs. This evolving style emphasized the natural forms of furniture pieces that resembled the blossoms and stems of plants.

Art Nouveau also highlighted the linear contours which took over hues. This is usually represented in yellows, muted greens, blues and browns.

The Art Nouveau movement was geared to abolish the common art hierarchy. Sculpture and paintings in the so-called liberal arts became superior to decorative pieces.

Art Nouveau also had its fair share of tests. It went out of fashion before the First World War which paved the way for Art Deco. Art Nouveau experienced a huge revival in the 60s which why it is now seen as the predecessor of modernism.

Key Features

The deep desire to break away from the historical features of the 19^th century was a crucial motivation behind Art Nouveau. This also prodded the establishment of modernism.

Industrial production was widespread during that time yet decorative art was then increasingly being dominated by mass-produced stuff which imitated earlier periods.

Art Nouveau artists also sought the revival of excellent workmanship to raise the status of crafts.

Art Nouveau also dominated the academic system from the 17^th till the 19^th centuries. This underpinned the belief that sculpture and painting were superior to ironwork and furniture design. Artists overturned the said belief as they aspired to create an art totality or the so-called Gesamtkunstwerks.

This movement then narrowed the gap between fine arts and applied arts. Whether or not this gap has been completely closed is a matter of debate these days.

Art Nouveau and the Table Lamp

Table lamps are a few of the most renowned Art Nouveau pieces that have been produced. An example is a lamp with a bronze base that mimics the lower trunk as well as the roots of a tree. It comes with a glass shade that appears like the shade of a Wisteria tree.

Art Nouveau Design Elements

There isn’t a single definitive feature for Art Nouveau. That comes as a huge relief to many homeowners since this gives them a leeway to embrace just the distinguishing elements and then they can be themselves.

Art Nouveau is a philosophy that favors the application of artistic designs to everyday stuff. No single object was too functional to be glamorized.

Art Nouveau is also the separation of fine art and applied/decorative arts. So this is a distinction between sculptures and painting from furniture, ceramics and other practical elements.

In line with the belief that Art Nouveau is art in everyday life, you can employ decorative patterns in all forms of art that you can think of. Use tendril and leaf motifs, even intertwined organic features, curves, also right angles.

Both the stained and varnished versions of hardwood are huge with Art Nouveau. You could also go big with colorful and Oriental rugs.

Say yes to Tiffany lamps as well as stained glass windows. These create authentic Art Nouveau ambience.

As for colors, it is a matter of personal choice. Just as long as you keep it fairly light while being enigmatic. Use browns, sage greens, lilacs and shades of mustard.

For your furniture, incorporate leaves, stylized flowers, roots and buds.

Tags: art in interior design, Art Nouveau, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.