Beardsley, Aubrey: illustration for Le Morte Darthur

The distinguishing ornamental characteristic of Art Nouveau is its

undulating, asymmetrical line, often taking the form of flower stalks and
buds, vine tendrils, insect wings, and other delicate and sinuous natural
objects; the line may be elegant and graceful or infused with a powerfully
rhythmic and whiplike force. In the graphic arts the line subordinates all
other pictorial elements—form, texture, space, and colour—to its own
decorative effect. In architecture and the other plastic arts, the whole of the
three-dimensional form becomes engulfed in the organic, linear rhythm,
creating a fusion between structure and ornament. Architecture particularly
shows this synthesis of ornament and structure; a liberal combination of
materials—ironwork, glass, ceramic, and brickwork—was employed, for
example, in the creation of unified interiors in which columns and beams
became thick vines with spreading tendrils and windows became both
openings for light and air and membranous outgrowths of the organic
whole.

This approach was directly opposed to the traditional architectural values of

reason and clarity of structure.

F. Champenois Imprimeur-Éditeur, lithograph, 1897

Dance, 1898

Painting

Poetry

Zodiac (1896)
Zodiac was Mucha's first work under his contract with the printer
Champenois and was originally designed as an in-house calendar
for the company. In this composition, Mucha incorporated twelve
zodiac signs in the halo-like disk behind the woman's head, one of
Mucha's customary motifs. The majestic beauty of the woman is
emphasized by her regal bearing and elaborate jewellery.

The striking design of the Zodiac calendar quickly attracted the

attention of Léon Deschamps, chief editor of La Plume; he bought
the rights to distribute it as the magazine's calendar for 1897. It
became one of Mucha's most popular designs; at least nine variants
of this lithograph are known, including this one which was printed
without text to serve as a decorative panel.

Alfons Maria Mucha[1][2] (Czech: [ˈalfons ˈmuxa] ( listen); 24 July 1860 –

14 July 1939), known as Alphonse Mucha, was a Czech Art
Nouveau painter and decorative artist,[3] known best for his distinct style.
He produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements, postcards, and
designs.

Art Nouveau also known as Jugendstil is an international of art, applied art

and architecture that is specifically focused on decorative arts. It rose to
fame between 1890 and 1910. Art Nouveau is a French term which means
“new art.” Although it is primarily known as Art Nouveau, this style of art is
known by many names in other countries. What makes this style unique is
that it focuses on the natural forms and structures and in curved lines.

Art Nouveau is a very sophisticated and opulent type of style because it

covers the totality of art. All of the design embraces the whole structure;
this means that it focuses not only the space itself but as well as what it is it
such as the interior design, graphic art, household silver, textiles, furniture
and among others.

Art Nouveau is more prominent especially in European countries and can

be seen in wealthy families. The design in itself represents elegance and
perhaps the stylishness is not limited as it can include with what can be
seen inside the house.

The evolution of Art Nouveau started in 1895 when the German art dealer
Siegfried Bing started a house gallery, Maison de l'Art Nouveau (House of
New Art) in Paris. The gallery featured modern art and the decorative
displays where strongly associated with the kind of style of Art Nouveau
embodies.

As a form of art, Art Nouveau is related to the Symbolist styles and Pre-
Raphaelites, and other artists such as Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley,
Jan Toorop, Gustav Klimt and Edward Burne-Jones. Although, compared
to Symbolist paintings, this kind of art is more distinct in appearance and
Art Nouveau used machined surfaces, new materials and new concept to
create a pure and clean design.

Art Nouveau’s rising popularity at time did not only influence the European
countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain and
many more; even countries from different continents such as Australia and
countries such as Argentina, also adapted the said style. To date, the
structures that manifested with this of style have still been preserved and
some where even listed in the UNESCO World Heritage.

What makes Art Nouveau great is the fact that it never negated the use of
machines. In fact, when it comes to sculptures, it primarily used wrought
iron and glass and these are manifested particularly in architecture.
Ceramics were also used in making different sculptures for this kind of
style.

Although many favored Art Nouveau because of its elegance, the use of it
has declined after the World War I because of monetary reason. Art
Nouveau is said to be more expensive compared to the new styles
employed during that time. Aside from that, the use of minimalism was then
used to have a plainer and more industrial look.

In the recent years, Art Nouveau can still be seen and practiced. However,
considering the change of times where modernism is at its top, it has slowly
declined in popularity. But still, its art and beauty still endured the test of
time.