Art nouveau is an unpopular term used in the world of art and jewelry. If you like new trends, then check out this new artistic movement you may fall in love with in 2017.
‘Art nouveau’ means new art, and it corresponds to an artistic movement that began at the end of the 19th century. you can see Art nouveau in architecture and design, but in the last decades, Art nouveau has become popular in fashion as well.
According to Toca Cultura’s website, ‘Art nouveau’ emerged during the so-called ‘Belle Époque’ in Europe and the United States. The name was taken from an art gallery in Paris, called ‘The House of Art Nouveau’, and later, different countries in Europe had a different name for it. In Spain, the ‘Art Nouveau’ is known as Modernism, while in England it is called ‘Liberty’.
The main characteristics of ‘Art nouveau’ are based on asymmetrical composition with sinuous lines. Common motifs are usually flowers, leaves, and the delicate shapes. ‘Art nouveau’ first began in the world of interior design, then jewelry, glass, ceramics, and fabrics.
Fashion and jewelry blogger, Mentxu de la Cuesta, says that “in ‘Art nouveau’ everything brings beauty to a more popular sense. They wanted to popularize beauty, so jewelry had to be involved in this revolution. On the other hand, the movement was intended to escape from a mass production, so jewelry would suit the bases of ‘Art Nouveau’ just perfectly.”
“Nature and organic shapes are also great sources of inspiration for jewelry, adds De la Cuesta. Ambers and jades look beautiful when mounted on a round and soft base, which could be covered in beautiful colors of enamel.”
The focus of “Art nouveau’ in jewelry is its delicate shapes. “We often associate jewelry with women, and that is explicit in the ‘Art Nouveau’, from their delicate curves to their wavy hair. Jewelry has helped highlight this sensual aspect and awaken the senses.”
Using glass, ivory and enamels as raw materials, ‘Art nouveau’ jewelry shows many details, and not even the button hooks on clothes can divert attention from the main piece. “An endless number of techniques made jewelry an art that attracts all sorts of people, not only a particular group.”