Art Nouveau

An international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art — especially the decorative arts — that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905). A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.

Curves and naturalistic motifs define the movement. Perhaps some of most outstanding examples are the entrances to the Paris Metro, the lithography of Mucho and the glass work of Gallo and Lalique.