The Art Nouveau style appeared in the early 1880s as an international style of decoration and architecture and was gone by the eve of the First World War around 1915. The name derives from the Maison de l'Art Nouveau, an interior design gallery opened in Paris in 1896, but in fact, the movement had different names throughout Europe. Art Nouveau was established as an art period at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, where it was introduced as the first new fresh style of the 20th Century. At its height Art Nouveau was a concerted effort to create a art style based upon decoration.
For a brief, brilliant moment in time, Art Nouveau was a stunning and captivating presence of a voice that ushered in radical change and urban growth. It was a sweeping style that reacted against the traditional and historical art forms and mediums characterized particularly by the intricately detailed patterns of curving lines such as depicting leaves and flowers in undulating flowing vines. Also characterized was the association of "nature" to the natural beauty of man and particularly women - in bold, semi nude and nude exaggerated poses.
At its height Art Nouveau was a concerted effort to create an art style based upon decoration. It was promoted by a creative and bold new generation of artist no longer constrained by traditional forms. Old artistic styles were met with both acceptance and rejection by the new age artists, designers, and sculptors who were embracing new technologies and social styles. Some artists welcomed progress and embraced the concept of mass production while others deplored the lack of artistic detail of mass-produced machine made goods and diligently elevated the decorative arts to the level of fine art by applying the highest standards of design, craftsmanship and materials. Art Nouveau artist strove to create a "total work of art." As a new art form, Art Nouveau incorporated itself into the daily lives of the masses producing artistic decorative pieces affordable to most. The movement was largely driven by such leading artist and sculptors as: Beardsley, Bigot, Bilek, Bovy, Caludel, Chimot, Delaherche, Denis, Ferrand, Frères, Galle, Gorham, Grasset, Guimard, Hodler, Horta, Klimt, Knox, Lautrec, Loetz, Ludwig, Majorelle, Moser, Mucha, Riemerschmid, Rodin, Steinlen, Tiffany, Toorop, and Van de Velde.
It is often said that Art Deco picked up where Art Nouveau left off. As an art form this movement began around 1900 and ended around 1940. Art Deco took its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, an exhibition held in Paris in 1925. There the style was first seen in the work of French designers who had been in experimenting and refining it for some years. Its origins are rooted in a reaction to the flowing motifs and fussiness of Art Nouveau with its emphasis on individual craftsman made pieces. The style and design aspects with geometric forms permeated almost every facet of everyday life. Including, architecture, clothing, jewelry, decorative furnishings and just about anything else.
By the time of the great Paris Exhibition of 1925, the Art Deco style was well on it's way to domination. In the later 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco was riding a wave of popularity rarely equaled in the United States. Art Deco embodied a sweeping change in social attitude and refined taste for things both modern and exotically beautiful. The Tutankamun Exhibition, held in Paris in 1922, also had an impact on the expansion of Art Deco as a movement and there was a cross-fertilization of ideas between architects and designers of costumes, stage and ballet sets, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, glass and sculpturing.
Art Deco is certainly one of the most exciting art periods in modern history. Multiple influences are evident in the Art Deco style, which include of the century's most celebrated artists, designers and craftsmen. Art Deco style is like no other. Recognized for its use of seductive curves and multiple mediums, Art Deco has become one of today's most sought-after decorating styles embodying antecedents such as Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Cubism, Expressionism, Egyptian, Modernism, Jazz Style, and the great traditional masters. The movement was largely driven by such leading artist and sculptors as: Apoux, Arrers, Bacque, Bagley, Bergman, Bizard, Bouterel, Braque, Bouraine, Brissand, Cassandre, Chiparus, Clement, Dakon, Danvin, Davidson, Debut, Delaunay, Dewitt, Dunand, Dupas, Erte, Faure, Fayral, Ferranti, Fouriner, Frankenberg, Gallo, Georcheoff, Goddard, Gori, Guillemard, Guirande, Hagenuer, Harrison, Hood, Hugonnet, Hunebelle, Icart, Janle Jenneewein, Joblin, Kent, Lalique, Leger, Lempicka, Loetz, Lorenzl, Manship, Maxim, Miller, Nagel, Oulene, Plisnier, Poertzel, Poiret, Renard, Riviere, Rosenthal, Sega, Stevens, St Swartz, Storrs, Tuxen, Valentin, Van Allen, Weber, Wenck, Wood, Zach, and many other great artist.
The definitions of Art Nouveau and Art Deco share many ideologies and avenues of expression. Because of this, there are few clear boundaries or borders that clearly delineated between the two styles. Collectors appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship displayed within both styles which include vintage collectable nude statues, bronze and marble sculpture, rare lamps and lighting, wall sconces, ceiling fixtures, marble ornaments, incense and smoking items, burners, art glass, paintings, prints, etchings, jewelry and many, many more. Both Art Nouveau and Art Deco collectable items remain highly sought after period items that drives one of the most productive collectable trades in existence today.
