ART NOUVEAU THIS WEEK
THE BEAUTY & THE ZODIAC
A style of decorative art, architecture, and design prominent in western Europe and the United States from about 1890 until World War I and characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms.
Art Nouveau, definition from Oxford Dictionaries
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The distinctive Art Nouveau style was everywhere at the turn of the twentieth century: from the glowing lamps of American Louis Tiffany to the stunning jewelry of Frenchman Rene Lalique to the fantastic architecture of Spaniard Antoni Gaudi to the imaginative posters of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939). After settling in Paris in 1887, Mucha eventually gained acclaim for works like Zodiac above, done mainly as advertisements and illustrations. Originally created as an in-house calendar for a leading printer, the image of the alluring woman before the revolving disc of horoscope signs, also was displayed in a magazine and as a decorative panel.
Google Mucha Foundation for a comprehensive survey of his life and art.
The above image is used solely for educational purposes.
In U.S. public domain.
Discover the connection between ads and art with Andy Warhol in Through an Artist’s Eyes: Learning to Live Creatively!
