Epitome of Art Nouveau

I find art nouveau posters very lovely with their curving and sinuous lines, simple color and bold graphics.  The term art nouveau first appeared in the 1880s in the Belgian journal L’Art Moderne to describe the work of Les Vingt, twenty painters and sculptors seeking reform through art. The two examples below are the epitome of the art nouveau movement in my mind. 

Edward Penfield artist, 1897

1907 print

Source: Library of Congress

Art Nouveau Posters

My mentor in antique collecting is a huge fan of the art nouveau style. I found some lovely art nouvea posters online that I thought I would share. Art nouveau is a style of decorative arts from the 1890’s and 1910’s that was defined as a “way of life”.  The style influenced everything from architecture, writing, textiles, metal works, art, advertising and every part of life.   Natural forms sch as flowers and plants with the curved lines define the sinuous style.

Enjoy some gorgeous examples of art nouveau! I will post more later.

Cincinnati fall festival 1903. Source: LOC, LC-USZC4-9721

Poster by Louis Rhead 1894. LOC: LC-USZC4-2261