Artists such as Jean Dupas, John Vassos, Eugène Grasset and Koloman Moser used techniques from a particular artistic movement to create their work. In art, Art Deco and Art Nouveau succeeded each other around the 19th century. But many art lovers confuse these two artistic movements. We'll help you distinguish between Art Deco and Art Nouveau. Find out first what each art movement entails and then what differentiates them from each other.
Art Nouveau: back to nature
Art nouveau was born of the Art & Craft movement at the end of the 19th century. The leading exponent of this movement was the Briton William Morris. He argued that art should make use of delicacy and return to the natural, due to the strong industrialization that dominated all fields at the time. This artistic movement went by many names, depending on the country.
In Germany it is called Jugendstilin Spain Arte Joven and in the United States the Tiffany. The best-known authors of this art in France are :
- Hector Guimard (1867 - 1942)
- Alfons Mucha (1860 - 1939)
- Émile Gallé (1846 - 1904)
- Henri Sauvage (1873 - 1922)
- Lucien Weissenburger (1860 - 1929)
To create their works, the authors of this period used mainly wave, curves, asymmetry, arabesques, polychromy, long lines and sinuosities. Waves, curves and these other elements are not the only things that characterize art nouveau. Art Nouveau artists also drew inspiration from figures such as plants, leaves, papyrus... When it came to coloring, Art Nouveau favored soft, pastel tones. Art Nouveau artists did not, for example, use stainless steel in their tools, but rather stone and glass.
Before the arrival of this artistic trend, the major arts such as architecture and painting were differentiated from minor arts such as the decorative arts. But with the rise in popularity of Art Nouveau, this distinction has all but disappeared. Indeed, this artistic movement advocates the search for a total art that would unite the minor and decorative arts. As a result, this movement can be found in many disciplines, such as interior design, architecture, furniture graphics and fine arts.
Art Deco: modernization at the forefront
Art Deco emerged after the First World War in Paris in 1925, thanks to the Exposition internationale des Arts décoratifs et industriels modernes. This trend is based on geometry, cubism, colors, symmetry and advocates globalization and industrialization. Technology and progress are part of the roots of this artistic movement. It's a kind of modernization of art nouveau. Among the tools most commonly used to create the works of this movement are thealuminumplastic, flat glass, etc.
Like its predecessor, this art form touches on many fields. It can be found in interior design, fashion, architecture, clothing, transport, tapestry, typography, jewelry design and many other fields. Several artists have made a name for themselves around the world. Among them are :
- Paul Poiret (1879 - 1944)
- Jean Dunand (1877 - 1922)
- Jean-Michel Franck (1895 - 1941)
- Henri Sauvage (1873 - 1932)
- Jean Besnard (1889 - 1958)
- Tamara de Lempicka (1898 - 1980)
Much of the art deco work can be identified by the bright black which is often used there.
The differences between art nouveau and art deco
Art Deco can be seen as an attempt to improve on Art Nouveau.. These two artistic movements therefore come from two different eras. And this is their first difference, the difference between art nouveau and art deco. The second difference between these two artistic currents lies in their ideals. Art Nouveau rejected industrialization and advocated a return to nature, drawing its inspiration from animals, plants and other natural models, while Art Deco is based more on machines, technology and globalization. They are therefore two quite opposing artistic currents.
These two artistic trends therefore represent two times that follow one another, but are different. Art nouveau is an artistic movement with an architecture that did not disappear at the same time as art deco. Even if the latter art movement emphasized modernity, with the use of straight lines in the design of its works, the curves that are most exploited in Art Nouveau are not totally rejected in Art Deco...
Another notable difference between art nouveau and art deco lies in the style of these two artistic movements. Art nouveau uses an organic style, while art deco uses a finer style. Art Deco uses geometry and symmetry, while Art Nouveau uses curves, asymmetry and imagery. Art deco has a vintage and chic that easily adapts to the contemporary world and is found in creations with noble materials such as mahogany, wrought iron and so on. With this artistic movement, the feeling is one of luxury and extravagance, as its internal decoration is also very imposing with striking colors.
Conclusion
To differentiate art nouveau from art deco, you need to know that the works of the former are loaded with multiple designs and colors. This art movement is based on nature, and this can be seen in the shapes of the works, where circles predominate to show a commitment to nature, flowers and plants. As forart decoIt's less busy than its predecessor, and more dominated by geometric figures and lines that hint at modernity and industrialization.
