A revolutionary reaction to the eclectic historical styles of
nineteenth-century art, the turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau movement
drew much of its inspiration from nature. Applying its sinuous,
curvilinear motifs to the decorative arts, graphics, architecture,
sculpture, and painting, artists and crafters attempted to create a
style suitable for a "modern" age.
This treasury of rare Art Nouveau decorative ornaments offers an unusual
selection of the genre's most strikingly imaginative graphics.
Originally published in Paris in 1899 and sold by subscription, the
collection features fifty full-page plates depicting a rich profusion of
everyday items rendered in the distinctive Art Nouveau style. Intricate
patterns of flowers, vines, faces, and other designs decorate scores of
objects made of metal, ceramic, and glass: pitchers and vases, cutlery,
walking sticks, jewelry, and other objects and artifacts. A source of
authentic Art Nouveau graphics, this compilation will serve as an
inspiration for artists, illustrators, and designers.