The Arts and Crafts Movement; & Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau was an Art Movement [1890-1914], that explored a new style of visual arts and architecture that developed in Europe and North America at the end of the nineteenth century. In some aspects Art Nouveau was Influenced by a 'revolution against machines', an ideology that art should be personal, hand made and individual.

Art Nouveau designers also believed that all the arts should work in harmony to create a "total work of art," or Gesamtkunstwerk: buildings, furniture, textiles, clothes, and jewelry all conformed to the principles of Art Nouveau.

Alphonse Mucha was a Czech Art Nouveau decorative artist, who produced paintings, illustrations, advertisements and designs. he was a prolific Moravian painter and a key figure in the Art Nouvea movement.

The image on the Left is by the infamous Alphonse Mucha [Paris-1896], it was perhaps a cigarette advertisement as you see the women int he picture holding a cigarette. The very similar image underneath it is by Stanley Mouse, [San Francisco-1966] with the women perhaps now holding a joint. This demonstrates how much of the movement 'Art Nouveau' was a influence on the later artists that came.



Morning Awakening
The fresh yet delicate colours used by Mucha, combined with exuberant floral motifs and, in particular, with four beautiful women make this a particularly appealing series. Each woman is set within natural surroundings which both reflect her mood and enhance her beauty. the whole is then enclosed in an elaborate ornamental frame reminiscent of a Gothic window.

I personally take a liking to art Nouveau mainly because of its originality and differentiation from other type of art. It stands out and is very decorative.