ART NOUVEAU

(1880-1905)
Art Nouveau (French for 'new art'),
is an international movement and style of art, architecture
and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that peaked in
popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905).

A reaction to academic art of the 19th century,

it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired
motifs, as well as highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.

Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which

artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture,
making art part of everyday life.
 ORIGIN…
 The origins of Art Nouveau are found in the resistance
of William Morris to the cluttered compositions and the
revival tendencies of the Victorian era and his theoretical
approaches that helped initiate the Arts and crafts
movement,

 However, Arthur Mackmurdo's book-cover for Wren's

City Churches (1883), with its rhythmic floral patterns, is
often considered the first realization of the Art Nouveau,

 Offshoot of industrialization,

 Inadequate living conditions, streets devoid of trees led

to a backlash, and

 “Back to nature” movement came into being, thus

started Art nouveau known as Art Nouveau in France,
England, Belgium and Low countries, “Stile liberty” or
Style Flore ale in Italy and Jugend stil in Germany.
 Inspiration
Art Nouveau ‘new and highly decorative style arose during the era “La Belle Epoque”.
Nurtured by late Baroque and Rococo, Gothic revival, Arts and Crafts movement,
Celtic revival and Arts of China and Japan.

Inspired By…
 Late Baroque and Rococo

 The Gothic Revival

 The Arts and Craft Movement

 The Celtic Revival

 The Arts of China and Japan

 Philosophy and Thoughts....
 Art Nouveau was underlined by a particular way of thinking about modern
society and new production methods, attempting to redefine the meaning and
nature of the work of art, so that art would not overlook any everyday object, no
matter how utilitarian.

 Essence of Art nouveau was the focus on Nature,

 Described by sensuous lines and subtle light, feminine figures, curly hairs,
vegetal curves and willow leaves, twisting waves and evanescent smoke,

 It was also described by controlled lines, geometric details and colourful new
shapes ,

 Art Nouveau Movement was strongly felt throughout Europe in countries like
France, England, Belgium, Spain and Germany. In Austria it was named as the
Viennese Secession.
 Art...
 Spearheaded by artists like Charles Rennie
Mackintosh, William Morris, Henry van de Velde,

 New materials like metal, glass wood were used

and combined together,

 Nature and Life were chosen as inspiring

sources creating emotions and feelings
 Architecture
Salient features:

 Asymmetrical shapes

 Extensive use of arches and curved forms

 Curved glass

 Plant-like embellishments

 Japanese motifs

 Stained glass
 Architects…
Art Nouveau was also a movement of distinct individuals such as

 Gustav Klimt,

 Charles Rennie Mackintosh,

 Alfons Mucha,

 René Lalique,

 Antonio Gaudí,

 Hector Guimard,

 Victor Horta,

 Louis Comfort Tiffany

each of whom interpreted it in their own individual manner.

 VICTOR HORTA

Victor, Baron Horta

(January 6, 1861 - September 9, 1947)
was a Belgian architect.

Horta is one of the most important names in Art Nouveau

architecture; the construction of his Hotel Tassel in
Brussels in 1892-93 means that he is sometimes credited
as the first to introduce the style to architecture from the
decorative arts.

The French architect Hector Guimard was deeply

influenced by Horta and further spread the "whiplash"
style in France and abroad.
 Tassel House

ARCHITECT : VICTOR HORTA

LOCATION : BRUSSEL, BELGIUM
DATE : 1892-93
BUILDING TYPE : LARGE HOUSE
CONSTRUCTION : IRON,WOOD,CUT
STONE FACADE
SYSTEM.
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Elegant urban house with

facade defined around centered, stacked oriel
bay windows and balcony.

Generally regarded as the first complete

building in fully-fledged Art Nouveau style. It
is narrow-fronted and deep, the rooms planned
rather more freely than was normal at this time
and with some exploitation of floor levels.
 HOTEL VAN EETVELDE
ARCHITECT : VICTOR HORT
LOCATION : BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
DATE : 1895-98
BUILDING TYPE : HOTEL
CONSTRUCTION : MASONARY AND
METAL SYSTEM.
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Rich lofty spaces on a

restricted site the interiors become of great
importance as centre of light, which permeates
through the filigree domes and skylights
usually in the centre of the building.

Horta handled the situation and used it to

highlight the imposing staircase,
which leads up to the first-floor reception
rooms.
 HECTOR GUIMARD

HECTOR GUIMARD
(March 10, 1867 - May 20, 1942)
was a French Architect.

Guimard created unassuming and conventional early works, but after familiarizing
himself with some of the architectural theories circulating in the late 1800s, he began
to produce some exceptional avant-garde works. The radical ideas of Viollet-Le-Duc.

Guimard's visit to Horta's Hotel Tassel in 1895 acted as a catalyst to his creativity and
inspired a radical re-evaluation of his design approach. The fluid, curvilinear lines that
characterize Guimard's designs became synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement.

The Metro Entrance was constructed like the Crystal Palace out of interchangeable,
prefabricated cast iron and glass parts, Guimard created his metro system in opposition
to the ruling taste of French classical culture.
 METRO ENTRANCE

ARCHITECT : HECTOR GUIMARD

LOCATION : PARIS, FRANCE
DATE : 1899-1905
BUILDING TYPE: LIGHT RAIL RAPID
TRANSIT STATIONS
CONSTRUCTION : IRON AND GLASS
SYSTEM
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : GRACEFUL ORGANIC

FORMS, constructed like the Crystal Palace
out of interchangeable, prefabricated cast iron
and glass parts, Guimard created his metro
system in opposition to the ruling taste of
French classical culture.
 CASTEL BERANGER
ARCHITECT : HECTOR GUIMARD
LOCATION : PARIS, FRANCE
DATE : 1890 (circa)
BUILDING TYPE : APARTMENT BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION : BEARING MASONARY,
BRICK, CAST IRON
SYSTEM.
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Graceful asymmetrical

wrought iron entry gate, precedent to work of
contemporary American blacksmith Albert Paley.
The stem and branch-like character of both the
interior furnishing and the exterior ironwork
stand in a curious and brittle contrast to the
elements that make up the mass of the building's
exterior.
With 36 apartments, each different from the next,
it is a curious compound of rational planning and
non-rational intent and expression.
 ANTONIO GAUDI
ANTONIO GAUDI
(June 25, 1852-1926)
was a Catalan Architect.

He graduated as architect in 1878.

Almost his entire professional activity took place in Barcelona, where the greater part
of his work is found.

He was influenced by the writings of Ruskin who began as a Gothic Revivalist.

 CASA MILA
ARCHITECT : ANTONIO GAUDI
LOCATION : BARCELONA, SPAIN
DATE : 1905-1907
BUILDING TYPE : MULTIFAMILY
HOUSING
CONSTRUCTION : MASONARY AND
CONCRETE SYSTEM
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Expressionistic, fantastic, organic forms

in undulating façade and roof line, light court. "La Pedrera’-
the quarry—was the name an astounded population gave to
this completely unique building. It could be compared with the
steep cliff walls in which African tribes build their cave-like
dwellings. The wavy facade, with its large pores, reminds one
also of an undulating beach of fine sand, formed, for example,
by a receding dune. The honeycombs made by industrious
bees might also spring to the mind of the observer viewing the
snake-like ups-and-downs that run through the whole building.
 CHURCH OF SAGRADA FAMILIA

ARCHITECT : ANTONIO GAUDI

LOCATION : BARCELONA, SPAIN
DATE : 1882-1926
BUILDING TYPE : CHURCH
CONSTRUCTION : MASONARY SYSTEM
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Church of the Holy Family.

Partly inspired by the Catalan gothic, showing

traces of Cubism, and commonly associated with
Art Nouveau, the Sagrada Familia fits into no
Single stylistic category. Like many before him,
Gaudi drew upon nature and exploited local
methods of workmanship.
 CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

(1868-1928)
ATTENDED GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ARTS

In 1884 he began an apprenticeship with John

Hutchinson.

In 1889 he became an architectural assistant with

Honeyman & Keppie.

In 1890 he won a traveling scholarship and toured Italy

before settling down into practice.
 GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ARTS
ARCHITECT : CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH
LOCATION : GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
DATE : 1897-1909
BUILDING TYPE : COLLEGE
CONSTRUCTION : BEARING MASONARY SYSTEM
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : West wing built second, from 1907 to 1909.

The building has an eclectic unity with influences from Scottish
baronial architecture (volumetric masses of heavy masonry),
art nouveau motifs and modern materials and techniques,
the building massing and facades reflect its context richly.

The building plan is a long "E" with corridors along the spine.
 HILL HOUSE
ARCHITECT : CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH
LOCATION : HELENSBURG, SCOTLAND
DATE : 1902-1904
BUILDING TYPE : LARGE HOUSE
CONSTRUCTION : BEARING MASONARY SYSTEM
CONTEXT : URBAN

NOTES : Asymmetrical massing.

The narrow building stretches west to east with an entrance
off the road to the west, so that all major rooms face south
to the view of the estuary.
At the eastern end of these major rooms a wing extends
north, with rooms for the kitchen and services and the
children. Out of these simple wings volumes extend, a
curving stair volume to the north, a sunny drawing
room bay to the south, a curved bay for the bedroom,
compositional extrusions in the simple major volumes
which focus views and bring in light.