Art Nouveau

Viollet-le-Duc Sketch

                Art Nouveau, in terms of architecture, is something that can be described as organic and ornamental with its use of undulating, asymmetrical lines which were often are an imitation of plants, flowers, and the like. Along with the elaborate ornament, Art Nouveau had a way of creating unity between the aesthetics of a design and structure, much like the style of Viollet-le-Duc. Many figures from the Art Nouveau period as well as the period itself are important to the creation of Modern Architecture because it gave rise to a new form of thinking. This new form of thinking during the Art Nouveau can be linked to the attempt to replace classical architecture. There were a number of people that fell into the Art Nouveau style and pushed boundaries and ideas, but, three figures that not only did just this but also paved the road into the Modern Architecture style are Hector Guimard, Hand Van der Veld, and Victor Horta.

                Victor Horta is the first of outstanding architects from the Art Nouveau period and happens to hail from the birth place of Art Nouveau itself, Belgium. Curtis wrote in Modern Architecture: Since 1900 that, “…the architecture of Victor Horta, which seemed a three-dimensional equivalent to the painters’ two-dimensional linear inventiveness."  Horta, who studied under a neoclassical architect, went on to explore the relationship between the natural world and architecture as a whole. It showed in many of Horta’s designs from the exterior to the interior. An example of this which shows Horta’s involvement in the Art Nouveau period and his exploration with organic forms and structure is his first major work, the Tassel House in Brussels.

Tassel House - Horta

Staircase of Tassel House

       

Although Horta’s style seems very free and organic, there is always a sense of formal order in his plans that can be found. Victor’s experimentation with from, structure, and most of all the use of steel is one reason he can be considered as a precedent for the Modern style.

Garden in Kalmhout- Van de Velde

           Next, is Henry Van De Velde who is not only known as an architect but also a painter. Having a background in painting, with nature as the subject of many of his works, it was natural for Henry to fall into the Art Nouveau category. Van De Velde got his start in architecture by designing a house for himself near Brussels. Not only did Van De Velde paint and design buildings, but he also designed furniture. It was his furniture designs for Paris art galleries that are responsible for bringing Art Nouveau to France (all-art.org). Van De Velde’s major contributions to modern style were through his teachings in Germany as well as his depth in interior and furniture designs at Boekentornen University Library in Antwerp.

Banquette - Van de Velde

Boekentoren University Library - Van de Velde

Last but certainly not least, Hector Guimard was part of the French Art Nouveau movement. Much like the two designers mentioned before, Guimard paid special attention to the organic form and the ornament in his designs. In comparison to Horta, Guimard was a pioneer of the Art Nouveau style in France and got inspiration from Viollet-le-Duc.  If fact, as Colquhoun states in his text, “… his allegiance to Viollet-le-Duc was even stronger than that of Horta.” Some of Hector’s earlier works were based off of illustrations made by Viollet-le-Duc.  Also, Guimard designed and was well known for the entrances of the Paris Metro. It is evident in this designs that Hector was making a strong analogy between metal structure and plant form.

Paris Metro - Guimard

It was not long before the time of Hector Guimard, Henry Van de Velde, and Victor Horta that many aspects of a building such as structure, ornament, furniture, and even interior design were considered to be separate parts of a design. In many cases, different ideas were used in the design of each, but, the Art Nouveau movement which was defined by the style and thinking of these designers brought all of these aspects together into a single philosophy. The idea of using structure and ornament together or even using structure as ornament is a characteristic of the Modern style and is seen time and again. It goes without saying that these men were design pioneers of their time and may have been the same for the future.