Inspired by Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is an art movement that began in the late 19th century, in opposition to the industrial revolution. The movement aimed to separate itself from previous art styles, and centuries of recurring techniques. The golden age of Art Nouveau began in 1900 with the Global Exhibition in Paris (l'Exposition universelle de Paris), where a number of galleries were able to exhibit this new style.

Women and nature are at the heart of this movement. Whether it's the curve of the female form, the delicate lines of a plant or the extravagant colors of an insect, Art Nouveau can be summarized in one word: picturesque.

Art Nouveau exists across a variety of creative spheres including sculpture, architecture, jewelry, and especially the decorative arts. Although it is nuanced, Art Nouveau follows a similar set of criteria regardless of the country or creative domain. As a movement, it aims to inject poetry and originality into harsh urban cityscapes; adding flowers, curves, curls, stained glass windows and various decorative elements to concrete jungles.

French art critics nicknamed the movement “noodle style", due to the heavily curved elements that marked the movement. Officially called the “Guimard Style," it's named after Hector Guimard, who designed the famous Parisian metro signs that are still standing today.

Meanwhile in Spain, Antoni Gaudi was quickly establishing himself as the master of “Catalan modernism", through his adaptation of traditional Art Nouveau. He turned Barcelona into his personal open-air museum, transforming buildings and public spaces like Güell park and the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. 

Art Nouveau masters such as Gustav Klimt and Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, took the painting world by storm. Along with The Kiss, The Tree of Life is one of Klimt's most famous pieces, and it is a perfect example of Art Nouveau. Nature consumes the couple in the painting, where the branches of the tree form staggered rows and small flowers grow at the trunk.

Art Nouveau regained popularity in the 70s and continues to inspire contemporary artists like French photographer Caz In The Machine. His works reflect the Art Nouveau style seen in Le Chat Noir, the popular “black cat" posters established in Montmartre in the late 19th century. Half naked women are placed center-stage in Caz's images, where they merge with the foliage and fauna that surrounds them. They also hold bouquets of flowers, allowing them to perfectly harmonize with the sombre tones of their environment.

Chuck Sperry is another prominent example, whose style is reminiscent of Art Nouveau. Unlike Caz In The Machine's figures, Chuck Sperry's posters are very colorful and rely on pop culture or cinematic references. The artist exhibits his Art Nouveau prints across the world. 

Rediscover Art Nouveau with this unique selection of works and get lost in the vintage glamour of the early 20th century, with the established and emerging artists on Artsper.