Art Nouveau Wallpaper

"Art Nouveau" is the term used to describe an epoch of art history at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century which brought art back into everyday life. The style is inspired by nature and characterised by a sense of lightness and elegance.

An era of art history

Art Nouveau is a period of art history which enjoyed its initial heyday between 1890 and 1910. The young, modern and original movement rejected historicism and also opposed the drive towards soulless industrialisation with its mass character. It identified as a revolt against conservative obsessions and the conventional language of forms.

Reintegration of art into everyday life

Art Nouveau was preceded by the British Arts & Crafts movement which - unsurprisingly - combines art and traditional crafts. One of the most important representatives of this movement was William Morris. Art which stands out for its inherent functionality: the concept of Art Nouveau is that of a functional yet decorative component in all areas of everyday life.

Nature as source of inspiration and stylistic device                  

For painting and graphic art, nature is the inspiration, represented by large, often stylised, floral ornaments. Shapes are organic and varied, tempting us to pause and dream for a moment. This creates a strong and deliberate contrast to the rapid development of industrialisation with its uniformity and mass-compatibility.

Lightness and elegance

A light playfulness and enchanting elegance characterise the pattern motifs of Art Nouveau, which pays homage to art with a special love of detail. Just as youth moves with a light foot, a light heart and with great zest for action, this concise style develops into a form of expression for a new generation that is neither too tied to the past nor wanting to rush into the future.

Depending on specific countries, there are different trends and terms for this extraordinary style era. Among the most important European-national characteristics are Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Secession style, Modernisme, Liberty and Modern Style.

Jugendstil

Named after the magazine "Jugend", founded in Munich in 1895, Jugendstil (the style of the youth) developed under this name in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the Baltic States. Art and life merge into one. Everyday objects are redesigned with a decorative factor in mind.

Art Nouveau

In France and Belgium, Art Nouveau is considerer a new approach to life, but also as a renewal of spirit and mind. It was founded by gallery owner Samuel Bing who was famous for the design of functional utility objects influenced by, amongst other concepts, Asian art and fashion. Asymmetrical complexity and playful lines are the hallmarks of this artistic movement.

Secession style

Secession style or Viennese Art Nouveau is the name of the modern art movement in Austria/Hungary and other Eastern European countries. The Viennese Secession is an association of artists, including Gustav Klimt, who consciously distance themselves from Historicism. Viennese Art Nouveau incorporates a sense of decadence and is characterised by Freud's psychoanalysis and a new, liberal self-image. 

Catalan modernism

In Catalonia, especially in Barcelona, Modernisme developed as a movement of renewal in the cultural and social field. Impressionism and Symbolism had a huge influence on the art form of painting. In architecture and design, Antoni Gaudí set new standards with his naturally dynamic language of forms.

Floreale/Liberty styles

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Floreale or Liberty style became popular in Italy. The new Liberty style allows Arabic and northern influences to flow into decorative design. In terms of architecture, this manifests in domes and turrets with floral patterns. Craftsmanship and art are a unity that creates sophisticated designs.

Modern Style

The Modern Style in Great Britain is strongly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. Much of it is based on Pre-Raphaelism and the Gothic era, but Japanese art motifs as well as artisan handicrafts are also popular components of the Modern Style.

Art Nouveau patterns draw on motifs from nature with a generous dose of imagination and humour. Flowers, blossoms, floral ornaments, tendrils as well as symbolic creatures in animal form play the main roles in Art Nouveau wallpaper designs.

Flowers and blossoms

Flowers & blossoms are among the favourite pattern motifs in Art Nouveau. Their slender, tall silhouette is often depicted in the shape of a chalice (e.g. tulips) or a trumpet. Although the recognition value is usually very high, flowers often have an imaginative and new effect due to curved or intertwined lines.       

Floral ornaments         

In Art Nouveau, ornaments consisting of blossoms, flower heads, leaves or plant components often appear abstract and seemingly infinite. The labyrinth of ramifications and stylistic subtleties is pleasing to the eye. They can also be embedded in perfect geometry. Strong contrasting colours increase the decorative factor.

Leaves and tendrils      

Leaves and tendrils can be decorative accessories in an opulent design, but they are also effective on their own. Their clear contours and cool curves are what makes them so striking. The design can be based on arabesques, with their organic, occasionally asymmetrical form placed in rectangular frames.

Symbolic creatures in animal form       

Animals such as the peacock and the swan symbolise extravagance and elegant beauty, making them popular motifs in Art Nouveau. Along with many other mythical creatures, they convey subtle messages. Fish and insects (e.g. dragonflies) are also of characteristic importance. The metamorphosis is reflected via chimeras, that is to say creatures that are half human, half animal.

Flowing, curved lines and waves          

Like nature with its organic forms which are always in motion, Art Nouveau wallpaper designs feature curved, elongated lines, waves and arches based on geometric shapes. They come in the shape of floral and planar ornaments or as part of the motif (e.g. swan neck). The graphic elements support soft symmetries. 

Art Nouveau wallpaper gives living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms a sensual, elegant touch. In restaurants, it can help create an upscale, intimate atmosphere that encourages the enjoyment of food.

Living room

Elaborate floral ornaments following a geometric, asymmetrical or symmetrical line and motifs with peacocks and other mythical creatures attract the eye. Furniture and furnishings should match the style and colours of the wallpaper. Bright colours require a calm environment.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, Art Nouveau patterns serve the demand for privacy. Whether to choose dark or light wallpaper colours is a question of the mood that is to be created and depends on the room layout.

Bathroom

Wallpaper with Art Nouveau pattern motifs in dark, intense colours, perhaps with a bit of gold for a touch of luxury, are perfectly suited to the bathroom. This room dedicated to privacy and beauty has huge potential for decorative art concepts.

Restaurants

In the Art Nouveau era, artists and craftsmen gathered in authentically designed restaurants or bars to exchange ideas. Art Nouveau wallpaper provides a creative, communicative atmosphere with a generous dose of cosiness.

There is almost no colour that doesn't work with the Art Nouveau style. Wallpaper colour favourites include blue, green, gold, silver, grey and red.

Blue

Blue symbolises harmony, sympathy, infinity, it represents water and the sky. Medium shades of grey-blue, steel blue or light blue are all popular nuances. On Art Nouveau wallpaper models, the luxury aspect is often expressed with royal blue and ultramarine blue.

Green

Green is a popular colour for Art Nouveau wallpaper as it is associated with nature. Mixed shades of green in lighter and darker tones play a major role, with green usually being supplemented by other bright colours to bring out details.

Gold

Gustav Klimt developed gold into a sophisticated complementary Art Nouveau colour. Gold adds a touch of refinement to specific elements, and as a background shade, the colour of the sun brings the motif into the foreground.

Silver

In Art Nouveau, silver is not the opposite of gold - au contraire! The colour of lightness and freedom can emphasise and complement gold. In combination with other colours, it exudes a subtle luxury and represents the shine of enchanting ice crystals.

Grey

Grey stands for modernity and, at the same time, it's a neutral colour that can be combined with almost all others. In combination with white, black and silver, grey appears very elegant and artistic, which is perfect for Art Nouveau wallpapers.

Red

Red is often chosen as the basic or pattern colour for Art Nouveau wallpaper to deliberately attract attention. The colour of passion is a powerful intensifier for the craftsmanship implied in elaborate structures and textures. 

The works and creations of famous artists of the Art Nouveau era are often used as models for new wallpaper creations. Emile Gallé, Gustav Klimt, Antoni Gaudí and Louis C. Tiffany are a representative cross-section of the style icons of Art Nouveau.

Emile Gallé                  

The most important representative of Art Nouveau is Emile Gallé (1846-1904), whose glass art and faiences were in international demand during the Art Nouveau period. His glass cameos are world-famous, and he is also considered the inventor of inlay work in glass. Until the 1930s, Art Nouveau-style production was carried out in French workshops for glass, ceramics and wood.

Gustav Klimt

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) went down in art history as the founding president of the Vienna Secession and master of the new language of art. With his portraits, allegories and landscapes, he influenced Viennese Art Nouveau like no other. Klimt was an advocate of colour, and gold in particular became his trademark.

Antoni Gaudí    

Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926) is considered one of the most important representatives of the Catalan Modernisme. Organic, surrealistic forms, inspired by flora and fauna as well as Gothic elements, are as typical for Gaudí's buildings as are colourful ceramic tiles. Under his guidance, blacksmithing, mosaics, glass art and carpentry were given a fantastic new platform.

Louis C. Tiffany            

Tiffany is the epitome of the excellent glass art and jewellery creations of the same name. The inspiration behind it is the American entrepreneur, painter and glass designer Louis C. Tiffany (1848-1933), one of the most important representatives of American Art Nouveau. Tiffany glass creations with enchanting floral designs represent Art Nouveau art worldwide. 

Art Nouveau wallpaper patterns require a high degree of experience and talent as well as the courage to be innovative from designers and manufacturers alike. Anaglypta, Cole & Son and Morris & Co. are three of the most famous contemporary wallpaper brands providing Art Nouveau wallpaper models.

Anaglypta                    

In 1887, Englishman Thomas Palmer developed and patented an embossed wallpaper type called Anaglypta which was a revolutionary alternative to the so-called Lincrusta wall covering at the time. At the turn of the century, the environmentally friendly embossed and paintable wallpaper had already conquered the market. In contrast to many foamed relief wallpaper types of those days, Anaglypta sticks to its tradition of dispensing with chemical components such as plastics to this day.

Cole & Son

Since 1873, Cole & Son, based in London, has been producing classic wallpaper designs produced with traditional printing techniques to decorate rooms in world-famous buildings such as Buckingham Palace and the White House. The British wallpaper manufacturer is known for immensely successful collaborations with artists resulting in unique creations, including Art Nouveau wallpapers.

Morris & Co.

William Morris was the most important figurehead of the British Arts and Crafts movement (which included Art Nouveau designs). In 1861, he founded Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. (today Morris & Co.), a design manufactory for fabrics and wallpapers. Today, its focus is on handmade products. The wallpaper patterns are inspired by (or are reprints of) the in-house archive.