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Sourced from Dover's extensive archive, this volume presents hundreds of full-color and black-and-white works by virtually every key artist of the Art Nouveau movement, including Mucha, Seguy, Beardsley, and Verneuil. Includes material from rare books, portfolios, and major periodicals such as Jugend, The Studio, Dekorative Vorbilder, and The Keramic Studio. Includes bibliographies and artist biographies.
Chapter 1: The Origins of Art Nouveau
* Introduces the Art Nouveau movement, its historical background, and its influences from Japanese art and the aestheticism movement.
Example: A hanging lamp by Louis Comfort Tiffany featuring intricate floral motifs and iridescent glass, showcasing the Japanese-inspired aesthetic.
Chapter 2: The Principles and Characteristics of Art Nouveau
* Examines the key principles of Art Nouveau, including its emphasis on organic forms, curvilinear lines, natural motifs, and the use of ironwork and glass.
Example: A stained glass window by Alphonse Mucha depicting a graceful female figure surrounded by flowing vegetal forms, embodying the sinuous curves and organic lines characteristic of the movement.
Chapter 3: Art Nouveau Architecture
* Explores the architectural applications of Art Nouveau, focusing on its organic forms, ornate facades, and the integration of iron and glass.
Example: The Hotel Tassel in Brussels by Victor Horta, an early masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture, featuring an iron-and-glass facade with elegant floral motifs.
Chapter 4: Art Nouveau Painting
* Analyzes the distinctive features of Art Nouveau painting, including its use of flat colors, elongated figures, and decorative patterns.
Example: "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt, an iconic work that captures the sensuous and ethereal qualities of Art Nouveau with its intricate patterns and gilded surface.
Chapter 5: Art Nouveau Sculpture
* Examines the sculptural innovations of Art Nouveau, including its emphasis on movement, fluid forms, and the use of new materials like bronze and cast iron.
Example: "Orpheus" by Auguste Rodin, a sculpture that captures the fluidity and expressive power of Art Nouveau with its flowing lines and symbolic imagery.
Chapter 6: Art Nouveau Graphic Design
* Explores the use of Art Nouveau in graphic design, including posters, illustrations, and bookbindings.
Example: A poster by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec for the cabaret Le Divan Japonais, featuring a distinctive Art Nouveau style with bold lines, vibrant colors, and Japanese-influenced motifs.
Chapter 7: Art Nouveau Interiors
* Examines the application of Art Nouveau in interior design, focusing on its use of decorative furnishings, stained glass, and elaborate lighting.
Example: The dining room of the Maison Lisbonne in Paris, an early example of Art Nouveau interiors, featuring intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and flowing curves.
Chapter 8: The Legacy of Art Nouveau
* Assesses the impact and decline of Art Nouveau, its influence on subsequent art movements, and its enduring appeal in popular culture.
Example: The Tiffany lamps that continue to be produced today, demonstrating the lasting popularity of Art Nouveau's decorative and functional designs.
