door #2

10 things you didn't know about Art Nouveau

1. Name borrowed from the name of a Paris gallery, Maison de l'Art Nouveau. If it still exists- I couldn't find it.

2. Different from other design styles, it was possible to live an Art Nouveau lifestyle in an art nouveau house with art nouveau furniture, silverware, jewellery, pottery, poster arts, textiles and of course door knobs.

3.Most known for flourishing between 1892-1902.

4.Was a response to the industrial revolution and a desire for the "everyday man" to live stylishly.

5. Paris- Hector Guimard- famous for his wrought iron and glass Metro stations that still exist today.

6. Prague- Alphonse Mucha- famous for his poster arts in contribution to the Paris art scene, particularly this one.

7. Brussels- Victor Horta- famous for his architectural contributions to the style, The Hotel Tassel, his most famous. It's a private building and I sat outside for about 40 minutes wondering if I should try and talk my way inside. I didn't

8. Spain- Antoni Gaudi- famous for Parc Guell and Casa Mila, which clearly emphasizes the curvaceous and sinuous nature of the style. I was too busy eating strawberries to take note when I walked past it.


9. USA- Louis Comfort Tiffany- famous for Tiffany lamps and of course- Tiffany & Co.

10. Natural, organic shapes often of leaves, insects, grasses etc..with flowing waves, curves, and "the whiplash line" are characteristic of the Art Nouveau style.