THE HISTORY OF ART NOUVEAU

Art Nouveau - a term derived

from French, meaning new art is a common artistic style of
many artists of the time, found in
almost every Western culture in
visual arts, architecture and even
in the early 20th century fashion
(for both men and women).

An important step in the evolution of

Art Nouveau was the Universal
Exhibition in 1900, held in Paris. This
new style, thought of as "modern",
was recognized and accepted by all
social classes. At the exhibition in Turin
in 1902, Art Nouveau most likely
reached its peak, as most European
artists exhibited their most important,
contemporary creations in visual arts.

Art Nouveau is easily recognizable

due to its curved and oval lines
which often bring to mind the
graceful Renaissance. The same
curves can also be found in
architecture. What is more, all
forms previously used in other
artistic styles are redesigned in Art
Nouveau.

Art Nouveau consistently promoted

the use of stylized motifs existing
in nature, extending the "natural"
to all that is inspired by life, from
seaweed to floral buds and from
the forms of the invertebrates insects in particular to the curves
found in felines and bird of prey.

The style is reflected in

drawings, works of wrought
iron, architecture, interiors,
furniture, or textile imprints.

As a Romanian artist who created in Art

Nouveau style I would like to mention Ignat
Bednar, born in Orova, in 1882. He
graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in
Bucharest and from the Academy of Arts in
Paris. He was familiar with both Art Nouveau
and Symbolism and Idealist Cenacle. He was
a colleague of the well-known Romanian
sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Bednars
artistic work includes oil painting,
watercolour, drawing and book illustration.