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Art Nouveau facts for kids

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Art Nouveau
Abbesses.JPG
Alfons Mucha - F. Champenois Imprimeur-Éditeur.jpg
Louis comfort tiffany, lampada da tavolo pomb lily, 1900-10 ca..JPG
Louis Majorelle - Wall Cabinet - Walters 6587.jpg
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Paris metro station Abbesses, by Hector Guimard (1900); Lithograph by Alphonse Mucha (1897); Lamp by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1900–1910); Wall cabinet by Louis Majorelle; Interior of Hôtel Tassel by Victor Horta (1894)
Years active 1890–1910
Country International

Art Nouveau was a popular art style that appeared around the late 1800s. It was an international movement, meaning it was popular in many countries. This style focused on organic shapes, like those found in nature.

You could see Art Nouveau in many places. It was used in modern art, graphic design (like posters), and architecture (buildings). It also appeared in everyday items. These included decorations, jewellery, ceramics (pottery), and glass objects.

Art Nouveau was most popular between 1890 and 1905. It continued to be used until the First World War.

What is Art Nouveau?

Art Nouveau was a new way of designing things. It was a reaction to the older, more traditional art styles of the 1800s. The style is very natural and flowing.

It often uses shapes inspired by flowers and plants. You'll see curvy lines that look like vines or waves. A main idea of Art Nouveau was that artists should design everything. From buildings to furniture, art should be part of daily life.

How did Art Nouveau start?

A Czech artist named Alphonse Mucha greatly influenced this art movement. Mucha created a lithographed poster in 1895. It was an advertisement for a play called Gismonda. The famous actress Sarah Bernhardt starred in it.

This poster appeared on the streets of Paris on January 1, 1895. People loved it right away! It showed off a brand new art style and the artist who made it. At first, people called it the Style Mucha. But soon, it became known as Art Nouveau.

Where was Art Nouveau popular?

Art Nouveau lasted about fifteen years. It was very popular across Europe. You could find it from Glasgow to Moscow and Madrid. But its influence spread even further, all around the world.

In France, Hector Guimard designed the famous entrances for the Paris Metro. These designs really changed how Paris looked. Also, Emile Gallé was a key artist in the city of Nancy. In Belgium, Victor Horta had a huge impact on how buildings were designed.

Magazines like Jugend helped spread the style in Germany. It was especially popular there for graphic design. The Vienna Secession artists also influenced art and buildings in Austria-Hungary.

Many famous artists were part of Art Nouveau. They included Gustav Klimt, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Alphonse Mucha, René Lalique, Antoni Gaudí, and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Each of these artists used the style in their own unique way.

Why is Art Nouveau important today?

Art Nouveau became less popular when new modernist styles appeared in the 20th century. But today, it is seen as a very important link. It connects older styles like Neoclassicism with modern art.

Many Art Nouveau buildings are now recognized by UNESCO. They are on the World Heritage Sites list. This means they are important parts of our cultural history.

For example, the historic center of Riga, Latvia, is on the list. It has "the finest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe." Four town houses in Brussels by Victor Horta were also added. They are seen as amazing examples of Art Nouveau architecture. They show how art and society changed from the 19th to the 20th century.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Modernismo (arte) para niños

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