History of Interior Design-Pilar Uribe Donatiu-Art Nouveau

In the last session we talked about Art Nouveau.

Most of the different movements in Europe were somehow unrelated to each other, that is why it is hard to call Art Nouveau a movement. It got the name of shops in Paris that displayed elements of its characteristics. For example in Scandinavian countries it was called Jugendstil (new style). In London it started as a part of Arts & Crafts and Aesthetic and they used Liberty Style to mame it.

At the same time The Vienna Sezession was happening and was parallel to Art nouveau.

Art Nouveau was a movement that spreaded through architecture, graphic art, interior design, and most of the decorative arts including jewellery, furniture, textiles, household silver and other utensils and lighting, as well as the fine arts.

Some of its characteristics were the rejection of historic imitation, the use of modern materials like iron and glass with modern techniques in industrial production and innovations in electric lighting. It was also close to fine arts and the use of decorative ornaments inspired by natural forms and the abstract were one of the most important and noticeable characteristics.

Architects like Victor Horta (From Belgium 1861-1947), Henry Van De Velde (Belgian 1863-1957) and Antoni Gaudi (Spanish 1852-1926) are examples of important figures of Art Bouveau.

Victor Horta created buildings that rejected historical styles and marked the beginning of modern architecture. He saw it as an abstract principle that came from the relationship it had with its environment.

Henry Van DE Velde had a Flemish background as well coming from the Arts & Crafts movement. His style was very detailed. He mostly used concrete (which was considered an expressive element) to create his details and ornaments to decorate his interiors. This is how he influenced the Art Nouveau Movement.

Last but not least, Antoni Gaudí, had almos surreal designs with a very curvy and sensuous style. He was considered the leader of innovation of the Spanish Art Nouveau, called Modernisme. Even if it looked like his works of art had no relation, he established a visual order. His style came from a mix of Gothic architecture and the influence of avant-garde artists.

All in all, Art Nouveau is not so different from the past movement seen, Arts & Crafts. It is full of ornaments and the most important aspect is the beauty they create with their shapes. Art Nouveau was actually way more complex than Arts & Crafts as in a way, Arts & Crafts seeked simplicity in shape but it still had to be heavily decorated with all kinds of ornaments. Both movements were inspired in a way, by natural organic shapes which gave their elements the essence of the movement with the artist’s own characteristics.