From Nouveau to Deco

A style that took over worldwide and was used for design on applied art, graphic work and illustration, of the time. This was art Nouveau, influenced mostly by styles such as post-Impressionism and symbolism, from which designers took aspects from the natural world.

Henry Van de Velde , Vignette, decorative kunst |||, 1898-1899

The forms of this desk, by Henry Van de Velde, are very flowing and in a natural kind of way. A combination of flat surfaces divided by flowing lines. It is proportionally balanced, being divided equally vertically. It is called the beans desk because of its kidney like shape. Art nouveau varied to all kinds of designs, even illustrations and prints. Such posters are recognized by, their fluid lines, repetitions, patterns and more.

Henry Van de Velde, Poster for the factory trop, 1897, Lithograph Poster

Laurel Lady, Alphonse Mucha, 1901

A painter and a decorative artist of art Nouveau is Alfons Mucha, he mostly portrayed images of women surrounded by nature. This portrait of ‘Laurel’ 1901 shows a lot of varied influences such as, Japonisme, the Byzantine mosaic patterns and post-Impressionism. There’s the cropping style of Japonisme, also the flatness and boldness of color. He gives balance to the painting using a contrast between cool and warm colors. Visual balance along the pattern of the leaves complementing the whole composition. Also the mosaic compliments the whole picture balancing the colors of the figure.

Documents decoratifs, Plate 38, 1902, 

Alphonse Maria Mucha

Although his main composition was of females, you can observe some works that consist of floral patterns only. One such design is ‘Documents décoratifs. Plate 38. 1902’. It is geometrically balanced, using repetitive form of flower and leaves and also contrasting colors. He makes a frieze like design on top that splits the painting in thirds, using the golden ration and also the frieze itself. Using this ratio, it gives perfect balance to the composition of the picture. Use of complementary colors is also effective. This also shows an influence from Japanese art.

Desk, Sir Edward Maufe, London, 1925.
Museum no. Circ.898-1968.
 Given by Prudence, Lady Maufe. ©
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Art Deco followed art Nouveau, and just like art Nouveau, it affected all forms of fine arts, fashion design, product design, film and photography. This desk by Sir Edward Maufe, 1925, which is in the art Deco genre, shows a completely different approach to Van de Velde’s desk. It does not have the same flowing lines or same product functionality. It is more linear; more in a modern approach and silver finish other then the visible vein of wood. It is symmetrically balanced, with only a touch of decoration on the handles. This style is going to influence more modern styles which leads to our modern world of today.

 Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . 2014. Szecessziós Magazin, Henry van de Velde . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.szecessziosmagazin.com/magazin9/henryvandevelde150.php. [Accessed 24 November 2014].

Art Deco: The 1925 Paris Exhibition - Victoria and Albert Museum. 2014. Art Deco: The 1925 Paris Exhibition - Victoria and Albert Museum. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/the-1925-paris-exhibition/. [Accessed 24 November 2014]. 

Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2014. Art Nouveau | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/artn/hd_artn.htm. [Accessed 24 November 2014].