What was new about Art Nouveau?
Artists of the Art Nouveau style made use of technological innovations. They used wrought iron and irregular shaped glass pieces. Their work was marked by the use of hyperbolas and parabolas. Artists drew inspiration from nature. Floral patterns, seaweed, grass, insects and curving stems became popular motifs. In fact, the curved lines that were so characteristic of Art Nouveau gave it nicknames such as noodle, whiplash, tapeworm and cigarette-smoke style. A very popular theme was a nymph with flowers in her streaming hair. As an artistic movement, Art Nouveau embraced architecture, interior design, jewelry, furniture, textile, utensil design, as well as glass ware and lighting. • Glass: The Art Nouveau style was noticeable in the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Emile Galle and the Daum brothers, among others. • Jewellery: Raw materials such as opal and semi-precious stones were introduced. Gemstones made way for molded glass, ivory and horn. The beautifully set diamond jewelry of the
