'New Art' was an international
style of decoration and
architecture that developed in
the late 19th century.
It was developed by a new generation of artists
and designers who sought to fashion an art form
appropriate to their modern age.
It was during the period
that modern urban life, as
we recognise it today,
was also established.
Many contemporary artists,
designers and architects were
excited by new technologies
and lifestyles, while others
retreated into the past,
embracing the spirit world,
fantasy and myth.
In architecture, for example glass and
wrought iron were often creatively
combined in preference to traditional stone
and wood.
Nature
Heavily influenced by natural
forms: sinuous, elongated, curvy
'whiplash' linesa nd stylised
flowers, leaves, roots, buds and
seedpods.
The Female Form
Referred to as 'feminine
art' due to its frequent
use of languid female
figures in pre-Raphaelite
pose with long flowing
hair.
Other Cultures
The arts and artefacts of japan were a crucial
inspiration for Art Nouveau. Japaanese
woodcuts, with asymmetrical outlines and
the minimal grid structures of Japanese
interiors provided vertical lines and heights.
Celtic, Arabian and ancient Greek patterns
provided inspration for interwined ribbon
patterns
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
1868 - 1928
New artistic harmony. The elements,
furniture, furnishings and decoration
produced highly aesthetic yet practical
domestic and commercial evironments
His style incoprated a contrast between strong
right angle and foral-inspired decorative motifs
with subtle curves, along with some references to
traditional Scottish architecture.