Art Nouveau
When one considers the term “Art Nouveau,” what comes to mind most immediately is “images of a European-wide invasion [characterized] by the restless dynamism of organic form”(Silverman 1). For me it is usually the work of Alphonse Mucha– his mysterious women surrounded by the beauties of nature. Often my Art Nouveau fantasies take shape in the odd fungal-shaped stained-glass lamps of Tiffany. Or sometimes they surface as the romantic Parisian posters I’ve seen at Pier One, advertising champagne or cats noir or bicycles or the like. But no matter what ones notion may be of what Art Nouveau looks like, there is a feeling that accompanies it that is at the heart of the style’s appeal. It is difficult to define or describe what that feeling is. Is it even fruitful to attempt a description of it? Irregardless of this, no doubt the people of 1900 had their own notions and feelings about the style, that were shaped by the events and influences of their own times. While Art Nouveau served as a stylistic stepping stone between centuries, it was also an embodiment of the sentiments of the time from which it came.
Art Nouveau is a style that is easy to recognize, yet hard to define. There are several basic identifying characteristics that classify a work as Art Nouveau, the primary one being the use of line. The lines in an Art Nouveau piece are always fluid and undulating, some critics have even described them as “whiplash”(Fern qtd. in Selz 22), quite true of the work of many of the practitioners of the genre. In most pieces, the effect is more subtle, but always evident. What sets apart the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau from those of other styles is that the line in Art Nouveau “becomes a twisting, living thing, enclosin...
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“Pierre Bonnard, France Champagne, lithograph (image).” Les Maitres des Arts Graphiques. 26 October 2004 <http://www.maitres-des-arts-graphiques.com/BON.I1.html>.
“Power Macintosh G4 (2000) General Information.” SandpointMacs.com. 26 October 2004 <http://www.sandpointmacs.com/pages/g4_2000_information.html>.
Selz, Peter. “Introduction.” Art Nouveau. Eds. Peter Selz and Mildred Constantine. New York: Plantin P, 1959. 7-17.
Silverman, Debora. Art Nouveau in Fin-de-Siecle France: Politics, Psychology, and Style. Berkeley: U of California P, 1989.
“Utamaro’s Woodblock Print.” 26 October 2004 <http://www.asahi-jc.com/woodut.htm>.
Weisberg, Gabriel P. “Japonisme: Early Sources and the French Printmaker 1854-1882.” Japonisme: Japanese Influence on French Art, 1854-1910. Ed. n. g. Somerset: Hilman Printers, 1975. 1-19.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that art nouveau was a stylistic stepping stone between centuries, but it was also an embodiment of the sentiments from which it came.
- Explains that art nouveau is a style that is easy to recognize, yet hard to define. the primary identifying characteristic is the use of line.
- Compares the use of the natural and the philosophy of naturalism, a movement that art nouveau was consciously attempting to bring to an end.
- Explains the popularity of japanese art at the time art nouveau was developing. it was a time when romanticism was strong, and japanisme prints and posters were widespread.
- Analyzes how japanisme had such a strong influence on art nouveau. japanese art prominently portrayed natural things such as fish, birds, and flowers.
- Analyzes how art nouveau's spirit is clearly evoked in its pieces. the industrial revolution had occurred several decades before the movement emerged.
- Explains that the industrial revolution made it possible for the common man to have everyday objects that were beautiful. the bourgeois and proletariats believed that art must be life itself.
- Analyzes how symbolism, similar to art nouveau artists' denial of naturalism, sought not to accurately portray what an object is, but to instead evoke its essence.
- Explains that the atmosphere of the late 1800s was primed for art nouveau. the style was the convergence of a multitude of ideas, movements, and events.
- Explains that the universal exhibition of paris in 1900 was of truly breathtaking proportions and scope, including more than 81,000 exhibitors.
- Analyzes how hector guimard's design is a perfect example of fine art nouveau, embracing the strengths of his medium and finding the beauty in it.
- Explains that art nouveau found outlets in every possible aspect of being. it enjoyed popularity not only as fine art in paintings and sculpture, but in another form of plebian enjoyment– as advertising.
- Explains that art nouveau was a movement that lasted through the century and affected every style thereafter. modern artists sought the new in art deco, cubism, and postmodern art.
- Opines that art nouveau embodied the sentiments of its time, and that we are ready to move forward, to break out of the so-called box.
- Explains that the book of kells is one of the oldest and certainly the most famous books.
- Opines that the details of the design just can't be done justice.
- Explains that this piece of arts and crafts movement pottery is a modern day design by the company.
- Explains that they believe that this is the guide for the universal exhibition of 1900.
- Analyzes how the woman captures the spirit of what the exhibition is about.
- Narrates how they found this picture on a website, in french, among the collection of photos.
- Analyzes how all the pictures seem to be from the same photographer.
- Explains that this was from another website, again in french, that seemed to be a pictorial history.
- Opines that janes' postcard is a picture of the electric palace in france.
- Describes the paris metro station from a french website.
- Compares the powermac g4 computer system to the one they use to edit their films.
- Explains dubois, paul. "book of kells image." 24 december 2003.
- Explains fern, alan m., "graphic design." art nouveau. eds. peter selz and mildred constantine.
- Analyzes gras, rutger, “made to last: typography of the paris metro.” letter arts review 15.
- Describes greenhalgh's views on art nouveau and the status of style.
- Cites janes, nathalie, "l'exposition de 1900 à travers des cartes publicitaires."
- Cites ogata, amy, "art nouveau and the image of the artisan in fin-de-siècle belgium."
- Explains paris 1900: the ‘american school’ at the universal exposition.
- Cites partridge, howard, and cupola's art nouveau architecture - hotel tassel.
- Explains that petit, janes, "en allant á l’expo." le site perso de james petit.
- Explains that pierre bonnard, france champagne, lithograph (image). les maitres des arts graphiques.
- Explains selz, peter, and mildred constantine's introduction to art nouveau.
- Analyzes debora silverman's book art nouveau in fin-de-siecle france: politics, psychology, and style.
- Explains weisberg's book, "japonisme: early sources and the french printmaker 1854-1882."
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- How did Art Nouveau Influence Art and Design in the Late 1800s?analytical essayArt Nouveau (literally ‘new art’ in French) was a popular international style of art, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and reaching its peak between 1890 and 1910. The primary aim of this movement was to break free from the previous constraints that had been placed upon artists traditionally and to completely revolutionise design – an aim that, without a doubt, came to be achieved. The evidence of this can be seen in the work of several prominent designers at the time – such as artist Alphonse Mucha and architect Antoni Gaudi – and even within other movements – the Arts and Crafts movement being a prime example. The way in which these figures and this movement have been influenced by Art Nouveau in particular will be explored in this essay.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how alphonse mucha's work channelled many of the typical characteristics of art nouveau, such as graceful and sinuous lines in his posters.
- Explains that antoni gaudi is one of the most significant and prominent art nouveau architects to have lived. his buildings are imaginative works that find inspiration from the natural world.
- Explains that the arts and crafts movement flourished within the same time period as the art nouveau movement.
- Explains that art nouveau was perhaps the biggest influence on art and design in the late 19th century. although the movement was later replaced by 20th-century modernist styles, it is recognised today as an important stepping stone between the fixed traditional art style of the time and the later modernist approach to art.
- Explains that art nouveau was a popular international style of art, developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and reaching its peak between 1890 and 1910.
1011 wordsRead More - The Art Nouveau Style And Styleanalytical essayThe Art Nouveau style and movement, at its height between 1890 and 1910, enabled a sense of freedom for both its artists and the public as a whole. It offered strikingly original ideologies and transformed both the artistic and the mundane world alike with common characteristics like curvilinear shapes and a sense of the return to the natural and to nature as well as being at the crux of a fundamental change in how artworks were mass produced. The Art Nouveau style seemed to walk between the two worlds: it was simultaneously fantastical and grounded in reality and there was no artist in the period that was better equipped to “know and see the dance of the seven veils,” (Zatlin) than Aubrey Beardsley. It is impossible to fully discuss the value
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the art nouveau style and movement, at its height between 1890 and 1910, enabled a sense of freedom for both its artists and the public.
- Explains that aubrey beardsley was the art nouveau movement's victor frankenstein. he personified the intensity and weight of the baroque with works like "the climax" (1893) and imbued the piece with the curvilinear shapes standard.
- Analyzes how beardsley highlighted his japanesque style with a sensuous intensity in his illustrations of oscar wilde's salome.
- Analyzes how beardsley utilized block printing, which allowed artists to get their works out to the public quickly and at a low cost.
- Analyzes how aubrey beardsley embodied his aesthetic and visual artistic works, including "a ballad of a barber" and "the art of hoarding."
- Describes his new method of mechan ical means of reproduction, and his ambition to be a wide ly
- Describes his new method of mechan ical means of reproduction, and his ambition to be a wide ly
- Analyzes how aubrey beardsley's timeline and life story begs to be romanticized. he reveled in the mysticism of his own life including the negative responses to his works.
- Analyzes how beardsley crafted an almost mystifying public face that enabled him to give an air of artistic voyeurism.
- Explains that aubrey beardsley embodied the art nouveau movement in his ability to walk between the two worlds of the fantastical natural and the grounded real and his artworks were bold in their eroticism and meaning.
1801 wordsRead More - The Art Nouveau movement stands as a marked shift in artistic production and artist liberties as it existed between two worlds: it was simultaneously fantastical and irrevocably real. It offered a return to the natural with characteristics like meandering curvilinear shapes and bold colorings. There is no artist within the Art Nouveau movement that was better equipped to “know and see the dance of the seven veils,” (Zatlin, 8) than Aubrey Beardsley. To attempt discussions of the complexity of Art Nouveau without including Beardsley is to not fully envelop the movement and style, as Beardsley himself moved between the two worlds of the fantastical and the real. He illustrated the sexuality and grotesque decadence of the era while maintaining
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the art nouveau movement as a marked shift in artistic production and artist liberties as it existed between two worlds. beardsley illustrated the sexuality and grotesque decadence of the era while maintaining an acute sense of his own waning morality
- Analyzes how aubrey beardsley could be styled as art nouveau’s victor frankenstein, cobbling together innumerable influences and references to craft something dangerous and grotesquely beautiful.
- Analyzes how beardsley highlighted his janpanesque style with a sexual intensity in his illustrations of oscar wilde's salome.
- Analyzes how beardsley capitalized on the inherent contrasts of his color palette to create strikingly grotesque and stimulating images.
- Analyzes how beardsley embodied his aesthetic ideologies and artistic approach through his poem, "a ballad of a barber" (1896). his ardent support and encouragement of artistic advertisement is exemplified within the art nouveau movement and the popularization of the lithographic poster.
- Analyzes how aubrey beardsley reveled in the mysticism of his own life through his distinctive and recognizable artistic style of black ink illustrations that introduced a new iteration of art nouveau.
- Describes aubrey beardsley as a critically important artist who embodied the art nouveau movement in his ability to walk between the domains of the fantastical natural and the grounded real.
- Explains beckson, karl e., aesthetes and decadents of the 1890's : an anthology of british poetry.
- States that benkovitz, miriam j. aubrey beardsley: an account of his life. new york, g.p. putnam's sons.
- Explains that brophy, brigid, black and white: a portrait of aubrey beardsley, new york, stein and day, 1968.
- Analyzes kahn, eve m., "aubrey beardsley, racing creatively against the clock." the new york times.
1712 wordsRead More - Symbolist Movementanalytical essayWhat does the term aesthetic mean? How many different theories and concepts are there? What can be classified as aesthetic? The primary objective of this study is to introduce the meaning of the word aesthetic and give specific examples of aesthetic in art from period of Symbolism. Symbolism was an art movement originated in late nineteenth century in France as reaction to Realism and Impressionism. The leading focus of Symbolism was to
In this essay, the author
- Introduces the meaning of the term aesthetic and gives specific examples of aesthetic in art from period of symbolism.
- Explains that aesthetics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the creation, value and experience of art and the analysis and solution of problems relating to these.
- Introduces a few different definitions and hypothesis of aesthetics in art based on theories of well-known critical thinkers. the first theory argues that art is an imitation of reality.
- Explains that the second theory represents aesthetic as an expression. feelings, moods and emotions expressed in art have an effect on the quality of an art piece.
- Explains that the third and final theory sustains that aesthetic is a significant form. the most important part of an art piece is its essence, which starts the process of construction.
- Analyzes gustav klimt's painting the kiss, which is regarded as the most popular work created in his "golden period".
618 wordsRead More - Art Deco Art Historyexplanatory essayThe History of Art Deco Art Deco as an art mover has had a lot of influence in the history of arts and was under the influence of the past art movements and different cultures, the present lifestyle and the societies of the life changing World War I and II. In design Art Deco was glamorous and in style it was luxurious. Major influences were the styles of art and the French crafts of high standards, different cultures and avant-grade art. It wasn’t just a normal style that reflected adventure, entertainment and leisure but a highly enjoyed taste by all classes of people with different minds after Second World War. It handed down its concepts of design and traditional and modern visual styles to younger generations while at the same time its styles influencing many present-day designers (Hillier & Escritt, 2004).
In this essay, the author
- Explains how the recovery of art deco in the 1950s and 1960s encouraged young artists and designers to use richer iconography and take risks with designing materials and visual reference.
- Concludes that art deco is a mixture of contemporary designs and tradition with various technology and cultures.
- Explains that art deco has had a lot of influence in the history of arts and was under the influence of the past art movements and different cultures.
- Explains that france hosted an international exposition to show its power as the leader of taste and style. the success of the event led to the birth of art deco and expanded to other countries worldwide.
- Explains that art deco styles were present even before the exposition of 1925 and the last years of 19th century when it gained its obligations in the history of france.
- Explains that the inspiration for art deco came from different art forms and cultures. the discovery of tutankhamen's tomb in 1922 popularized the egyptian arts, while skyscrapers were directly influenced by the ancient architecture of mexico.
- Explains that after world war i and industrialization modern artists and designers were more concerned in producing designs with the least cost possible and very little decorations.
- Explains that the influencing factors of art deco came from the movements of the past and the present, as well as the lifestyles and society that is ever changing.
- Describes arwas, newell, museum, s. & gallery, a., 1996. the art of glass. 8th ed. paris: andreas papadakis publisher.
- Cites peter, s., greenwood publishing group, pile, j. f. and thomas.
1830 wordsRead More - The Art Deco Imageanalytical essayWomen have spent a large amount of time throughout the 20th century fighting for liberation from a patriarchal form that told them that they must be quiet and loyal to their husbands and fathers. For the duration of this essay, I will be discussing how the “Modern Woman” image that appeared through the Art Deco style — that emulated ideas such as the femme fatale and masqueraded woman, and presented new styles to enhance women’s comfortability and freedom — is still prevalent and has grown in contemporary art and design since. Overall I will describing to you how fashion, sexuality, and the newly emerged ‘female gaze’, and how these tie in together — in both periods of time — to produce what can be described as powerful femininity.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the "modern woman" image that appeared through the art deco style, which emulated ideas such as the femme fatale and masqueraded woman, is still prevalent and has grown in contemporary art and design since.
- Analyzes how poiret transformed the female silhouette and gave it freedom that women had not experienced for centuries. the lowering of necklines and the increase in skin in haute couture over the decades is owed to art deco fashion and is symbolic of the rise of women's rights.
- Explains that art deco fashion is also seen today through "chic garçonne" ideal that emerged out of early feminism that made women want to do the same things that men could.
- Analyzes how tamara de lempicka's openness about her affairs and sexual encounters has made a large impact on western culture today.
- Argues that the "modern woman" embraced their own sexuality despite being demonised and labelled deviant and diseased.
1122 wordsRead More - Abstract Expressionismanalytical essay1. Hunter, Sam and Jacobs, John. Modern Art, 3rd Edition. The Vendome Press, New York, 1992.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abstract expressionism was a reaction to social realism, surrealism, and primitive art in the 1940s.
- Analyzes how the abstract expressionist movement synthesized three previous art forms: social realists, surrealism, and cave paintings.
- Explains that the abstract expressionist movement was influential because it was the first time that american artists were doing something new and different from europe.
- Explains that the abstract expressionists shared a common experience, but they did not think of themselves as individuals with common ideals. jackson pollock's paintings made the first and most emphatic public expression of the new mood
- Analyzes how the emergence of abstract expressionist in america had a profound effect on the rest of the art world because it relocated the center of art from paris to new york.
- Cites hunter, sam, and jacobs, john. modern art, 3rd edition. the vendome press, new york, 1992. hughes, robert. american visions.
1102 wordsRead More - Exploring Social Patterns in the Renaissance Through Fashionexplanatory essayFashion reflects the attitudes of a society more than any other art form. Like art, fashion is a material record of the ideals that swayed the nations at the time of their creation. Through examining the styles, and tastes of a particular era, we can realize where the interests and priorities of a time lie. As Frank Parsons wrote in his 1920 study, The Psychology of Dress, "There is surly no better field in which to trace the devious paths of human thought than in that of clothes, where man has ever given free play to self expression, in a way which, thought not always a credit to his intelligence, is yet quite true to his innermost self, whether he will acknowledge it or not." Through, tracing and analyzing, side by side, art and fashion, and the effects that one had on the other and society, we can understand the ideals, and interests of European culture, here, through the Renaissance.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that fashion reflects the attitudes of a society more than any other art form. by tracing and analyzing, side by side, art and fashion, we can understand the ideals, and interests of european culture, through the renaissance.
- Explains that clothing style is dictated by three particular interests: popular fashion, commercial interests, and personal artistic expression.
- Explains that clothing expression in medieval europe, like all other forms of artistic expression at this time, found its biggest outlet in the ecclesiastical field.
- Explains that as society progressed and the threat of loosing possessions to arson, theft, fire, or exile lessened, luxury continued to increase.
- Explains that the renaissance changed europe's focus from the ecclesiastic to the humanistic. portraits became fashionable, and even religious art took on a more worldly, humanist look.
- Explains that in the early renaissance the classical influence became predominant in art, fashion, and dresses adopted the flowing pagan greek line, accentuating the body, instead of concealing it. beauty of line and form and color were considered sufficient symbols of holiness.
- Explains how the renaissance idea of the material living at peace with the spirit, for the purpose of satisfying the aesthetic sense, and appeasing the appetites through the senses, became perverted.
- Explains that the high renaissance was more social than the early renaissance, and fashion was dictated by the upper classes. the public fervently watched the royalty for the latest in fashion and copied their every move.
- Explains that france's court culture was a mania. the court was filled with the most beautiful and talented women of france, as well as artists, musicians, diplomats, and courtiers.
- Analyzes how indulgence and ostentatious magnificence strangled the ideal of the renaissance, which continued to drown itself in extravagance and luxury through the reigns of charles ix and henry iii.
- Explains that renaissance costumes were marked by sincerity, charm, and beauty, but luxury and richness became the most important features. this trend was evident throughout the renaissance, in many areas of culture.
1140 wordsRead More - Wright, Harold J.L.. "Some Masters of Engraving: Lecture II: German and Netherlands Engravers (Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century)." Journal of the Royal Society of the Arts 85, no. 4529 (1939): 1079-1095. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41359422 . (accessed May 9, 2014).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the master e.s. used cross-hatching to achieve a more modeled appearance, which lent itself to creating more printed impressions.
- Concludes that the early printmakers master of the playing cards and master e.s. of 1466 acted as influential pieces in the field through their subject matter and rendering.
- Analyzes how the "nine of beasts of prey" by the master of the playing cards is another example of a number card, like "three of birds".
- Analyzes how "the sudarium" depicts two lavishly dressed men with halos, determined to be st peter and st. paul, standing on either side of a piece of cloth.
- Cites clanchy, m.t., clayton, muriel, and hargrave, catherine perry.
942 wordsRead More - What Is Impressionism In The Impressionist Movement?analytical essayArtists of the Impressionist movement share a universal popularity of which other groups of artists know not of. This form of art expressed natural and simple beauty that captured life while it happened. The unique style brought out what’s worth appreciating; things we’re surrounded by every day, things that sometimes escape our gaze and go unnoticed. If one were considering to duplicate what they saw at any given time, they would have to also consider the broad range of colors the day produces. No matter the time of day or year, every moment proves unique if one were to take the time to notice the light, and what it does to the scenery.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the impressionist movement shares a universal popularity of which other groups of artists know not of. this form of art expressed natural and simple beauty that captured life while it happened.
- Explains that impressionism is the result of a certain method of producing art, more specifically displaying the art of reality.
- Explains that impressionism was first of the modern movements in art, and as such received the most criticism.
- Analyzes how the novelty of the impressionist style blew apart what was traditionally perceived and utilized to fashion works of art.
- Explains that the impressionist movement came about in the late 1800s originating from places in france. many young artists practiced and pondered together using the new and modern techniques constructed of their own devices.
- Explains that the impressionists were comparatively closer to each other than other groups. they gathered to discuss artistic questions and concepts of the day.
- Explains that the impressionist faction was a compilation of men and one woman, most recognizable today in the art world.
- Analyzes how the impressionists were apolitical and hardly conveyed any kind of political message in their work.
- Explains that impressionism is about the nature of fugitive light falling on surfaces, and the play of moving light, expressed the ephemeral quality of modernity.
1216 wordsRead More