What is the History of Art Nouveau ?
Like the British arts and crafts movement, it sprung from a revolt against the formalism in design and decorative art that had previously dominated the new industrial age. It’s actual roots can be traced to a German publication for young people called ‘Jugend’ meaning ‘Youth’. The magazine had a particular look that came to be called ‘Jugendstil’, or ‘youthstile’. Original editions of the magazine are highly sought after. The hallmarks of Nouveau– a lean, fluid line, simplified shapes, use of natural forms, an overall cleaner, simpler look than the fussier ‘Victorian’ look that came before– were all first seen in Jugendstil.
