Smooth lines, mysterious patterns and natural shades - this is how you can describe the art nouveau style that captivated all of Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The main idea of this direction is life in harmony with nature. The course has become so popular that it embraced all creative specialties.
How it all began
For a long time, representatives of creative professions in their works copied the historical styles of the past. This gradually led to decline and crisis. And at the turn of the century, new views on art appeared, which in different countries received various names - art nouveau, Velde style, modernism, modern, secession, Tiffany style. Of course, such views did not arise on their own. Japanese art influenced it.
In 1856, the Frenchman Felix Brackmon was fascinated by Japanese engravings on packs of tea. Amazing nature, sophisticated women, the cult of the sun ... This inspired the painter to create completely new paintings, dominated by rounded shapes and natural shades. The independence of form and color, an expressive silhouette and whimsical contours very soon appeared in the works of other artists.
In 1890, a movement was born in England that promoted new ornament-oriented art. Entire schools of adherents of the “new style” or, as it is also called, art nouveau are being formed.
In harmony with nature
Very soon, the masters of not only painting, but also architecture, interior design, and jewelry craftsmanship came to the ideas of the “new style”.
Each direction has its own characteristics, but there are common features:
- Lack of straight lines and angles.
- Rounded shapes, no sharpness in geometry.
- Natural shades and tones: swamp, brown, green, blue, gold, silver.
- In all there are plant elements - branches, vines, herbs, flowers. The main symbol of the style is the cyclamen flower in all its manifestations.
- The image in the patterns of representatives of the animal world.
- The cult of a woman with long hair.
- The use of a variety of materials.
Creative potential
Art Nouveau "untied hands" to many creators in terms of self-expression. Classics and clear standards faded into the background. The main thing in art is an innovative approach, its own vision of nature and man. Down with imitation! Many of the works performed in this technique are so unique that at first glance it is difficult to say that this is the work of man ...
Art Nouveau style in the interior
The design of an apartment, house or cottage, implemented in this style, is suitable for creative and extraordinary people who love nature in all its manifestations.
The main emphasis in the interior is on the absence of straight lines and even the corners of the rooms. They are in every possible way visualized and shaded. Windows, doors and doorways round up as much as possible and decorate with a natural ornament.
Ornaments in the art nouveau style - sophisticated girls resembling mermaids, elements of flora and fauna - are suitable for decoration of living rooms and children's rooms, as well as bathrooms and kitchens.
The material for design is used very different. It can be a combination of metal, stone, wood. Glass, especially frosted or stained glass, is actively being introduced into interior items. The floors in the rooms are often made multilevel. A fireplace must be present (natural or imitation).
Feature in the details
The interior details are of great importance: modeling on the ceiling, stairs and arches, as well as accessories - lamps, paintings, table lamps. Particular attention is paid to the bizarre shapes of mirrors and huge furniture with rounded details decorated with flowers and leaves. Furniture should emphasize the main idea of the designer - reunion with nature. Originality and sensuality are distinguished by the work of Eugene, Galli, Louis Majorelle, Victor Pruve.
Art Nouveau in the interior is a holistic composition, where all the elements and details complement each other. There is no catchiness and brightness, a calm atmosphere reigns around.
Architecture news
The penetration of style into architecture led to the emergence of new building technologies. Materials such as glass and metal, reinforced concrete, facing ceramics are used. Constructive elements are readily used - stairs, poles, balconies, wooden beams, terraces. Roofs are made in the form of folds, bends, cracks, shells. Walls, windows are decorated with moldings and cornices. Particular attention is drawn to the sculpting on the walls in the form of vegetation and women with loose hair.
The Art Nouveau style in architecture is known to the world by the works of Victor Org (he was the first to apply the ideas of style in construction). He performed the supporting structures of iron in the form of plants, which not only attracted attention, but also caused delight.
The entrance pavilions of the metro familiar to us saw the world thanks to the architect Hector Guimard. Indoor markets and pavilions for celebrations were built on the same principle. Often the style of that era was also called the "metro style."
All the buildings of that time can hardly be called man-made, so they harmoniously fit into nature.
Jewelry Art
A kind of stagnation befell at the end of the nineteenth century and jewelers. The fact is that expensive, natural metal was used for jewelry. And, of course, such accessories were only available to wealthy people. An attempt by jewelers to use cheaper material in their work was unsuccessful, and even more - led to the decline of the craft.
The heyday of filigree craftsmanship coincided with the work of the Czech painter and artist Alphonse Mucha. Jewelers were inspired by the unusual jewelry that Alfons adorned women on his posters. Soon, he began to design custom-made jewelry designs. Some of them are represented by the works of the famous Parisian jeweler Georges Fouquet. His most famous work on the designs of the Flies is a bracelet in the form of a snake.
Since then, not the cost of jewelry is valued in jewelry, but the art style, design intent. To replace expensive diamonds come semi-precious stones - opals, tourmalines, chalcedony, aquamarines. Enamel has become a favorite technique.
Jewelry becomes more sensual. Among the motifs are naturalistic themes: flowers, insects, animals and reptiles.
Graceful nymphs and mermaids
This is the only way to describe the painting of the Art Nouveau period. The ornament depicted on the canvases captivates with its naturalness and unplayed character. The main focus of the works of artists is a female body with rounded shapes, loose hair and extraordinary beauty. Desire and tenderness, provocation and passion, excitement and innocence - how many feelings emit art-nouveau paintings!
The chanting of female beauty came after the appearance of posters and posters of the Czech painter A. Mucha. Remaining in the shadows for a long time, he finally revealed himself as a true master of his craft! The answer to his work was the work of Voller, Klimt, Hoffman, Gauguin, Denny and other famous artists. In Russia, painting of the “new style” is represented by paintings by P. Bonnard, M. Vrubel, V. Vasnetsov, K. Somov.
The canvases depicted a woman in tandem with unusual creatures. It is very clearly possible to trace the cult of the sun - in many works the background is conveyed in the form of a circle decorated with flowers. The same natural motives do not subside: shells and peacocks, stems and flowers, leaves and waves. Particular attention was paid to form, not content.
Art Nouveau Catering
The concept of “catering” appeared relatively recently and for many remains unclear. However, simple things are hidden in everything hidden and incomprehensible. From English, catering is translated as “general food” and is a catering service for banquets and events. In other words - an exit restaurant. Cooking, serving, serving and serving are now available outside of food establishments.
Catering companies are the clarity and coordination of work, this is the organization of the holiday from beginning to end, including decorating the hall and cleaning.
Such organizations provide several types of services:
- Indoor cooking. To do this, use special banquet rooms.
- Field service in nature. Basically, these are wedding ceremonies and murals.
- Delivery of corporate meals to the office, to the conference, meeting.
- Outside bar (drinks only).
- Social catering - restaurant services, but on customer equipment.
The cost of services of such companies depends on the level of service. Of course, social catering will cost less than VIP catering.
On average, companies charge 2500-3500 rubles per person, while the order should be at least 10 thousand rubles.
Very popular these days are wedding banquets in nature. After all, even the most elite restaurant is not able to replace the seashore, river or forest edge. No matter where the celebration will take place, the level of the event is important.
Having entrusted the “main event of life” to catering organizations, the hosts and guests will remember the holiday for a long time: decorations, furniture and dishes will be carefully selected in the desired style. Everything is carried out at the highest level, as if in the best American films.
A few words in conclusion
The style of art nouveau did not last long after its dawn. After a couple of decades, this trend in art was convicted of mannerism and lack of nature. It is replaced by clarity and geometry.
Representatives of creative professions, although they stopped working in the "new style", he still did not sink into oblivion. Nowadays, this art is gaining popularity again.
Naturalism is always in fashion
New technologies and a variety of materials allow architects and designers to create unique things. Country houses made of natural wood are in demand, which, with their appearance and interior inside, reconnect with nature and give a sense of harmony and peace. Naturalism, promoted by art nouveau, will never go out of style.
Arches, forged and cast staircases with many leaves and curls, as well as intricate and extraordinary ceilings, remained relevant in the design of the premises. Handmade decor elements such as lamps, candlesticks, vases are in great demand. Fresh flowers, from small violets to exotic palm trees and other plants, became an integral part of the interior.
This style also made its way into our bathrooms. Rounded sinks, bizarre shapes of bathtubs and showers not only attract with originality, but also significantly save space in this room.
“New Style” is a historically valuable and distinctive phenomenon. Thanks to him, representatives of creative professions got the opportunity to express themselves, to be individual and not like others.