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Whether you're shopping for it or cataloging your inventory, it's important to know the difference between Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Here's a brief, digestible history lesson to help you tell the two apart
What is the difference between Art Nouveau (1890-1914) and Art Deco (1919-1939)?
Originating in the late 19th century, Art Nouveau was built upon the ideas of designer William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Art Nouveau takes its inspiration from organically occurring forms and shapes of nature.
Flowers, plants, and free-flowing curves informed the work of artists who integrated this imagery into architecture, design and decorative arts.
Commonly constructed using materials like stained glass, wrought iron and ceramic tiles, Art Nouveau design elements are characterized by sinuous lines, asymmetrical compositions, and intricate decorative design.
Popular motifs include flowering vines, floral patterns and stylized depictions of nature.
Expressed in a wide range of architectural approaches, including curvilinear forms, undulating facades, and elaborate ornamentation, Art Nouveau architecture often features asymmetrical layouts, decorative ironwork and expressive details.
This style also embraced a rich and vibrant colour palette, frequently incorporating soft pastel hues and organic tones to emulate the natural world. Stylistically, there's a romantic or sensual spirit associated with Art Nouveau.
Earthy colours such as greens, blues, and browns can be found in Art nouveau art, jewellery and decor pieces and, in the case of materials such as stained glass, expect to find stunning jewel tones and iridescent finishes.
Société des Vingt, also known as Les XX, was a group of 19th-century Belgian artists who rebelled against the traditional art staples of the time.
Eventually, joined by such artists as Henry Clemens van de Velde, Victor Horta and Paul Hankar, the group became recognized as pioneers of the Art Nouveau movement, which in turn became inextricably linked to Brussels.
As is the case with most antiques, finding true Art Nouveau pieces is more challenging than finding items that pay homage to the style. Jewellery and art are your best bets.
Prints and reproductions are easy enough to come by, as are knock-offs of popular items that embody the features of Nouveau trends.
Case in point: The iconic wisteria Tiffany Lamp. While it’s possible to find a few stunning originals that are available for purchase, they come at an understandably high price point.
Between the free-flowing beauty of the natural design and the exorbitant price tag, it’s no wonder that reproductions are consistently in demand. For those who want to capture the aesthetic on a budget, snag the replica for a fraction of the price.
For true Art Nouveau, an online marketplace to start your search, or browse the Shop Secondhand Directory for a local antique shop.
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Art Deco came on the scene in 1919 and was a popular aesthetic until after the start of WWII, into the early 1940s.
The name was derived from the Paris 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, and the movement embraced a more streamlined sense of style.
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Unlike the flowing, soft lines of Art Nouveau, Art Deco relied more heavily on sharp angles, geometric shapes, and lines that mimicked machinery and other shapes of technology that were new to the era.
Prominent artists of this form drew inspiration from the visual themes of the machine age, as well as concepts of symmetry found in other art forms like Cubism and Futurism.
Characterized by bold geometric shapes, sleek lines and symmetrical compositions, common Art Deco motifs include zigzags, chevrons, sunbursts and stepped forms.
Art Deco design often highlights luxury and wealth with materials such as chrome, glass and polished metals, as well as exotic woods and marble.
Architectural buildings constructed in the peak Deco period emphasize sleek, streamlined design and geometric shapes, often featuring gradient steps, angular lines and decorative embellishments.
Deco design uses a bold and striking colour palette, often featuring high-contrast colour combinations. Colour selection tended to favour bright and saturated hues, including primary colours and metallic tones such as gold, silver, and bronze.
Like other periods of distinctive design, it’s easy to identify the art influences of an era by taking a closer look at the architecture of a neighbourhood.
The Chrysler Building on the East Side of Manhattan is a beacon of the trend. Designed by artist William Van Alen and constructed in 1928, this iconic structure exemplifies the glamour of the Art Deco style.
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If you can get your hands on a vintage copy, the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel The Great Gatsby is the quintessential period piece. Despite the underlying tragic story, the settings and scenes serve as a beautiful foil for the aesthetic of the time.
Opulent inlay and the bold sensibilities of the jazz age are exemplified both in the writing and in the iconic cover art.
Despite its iconic imagery now being over a century old, the iconic elegance of Art Deco is not going anywhere fast.
The 1970s and 1980s saw the Art Deco Revival period, which used similar lines to the original movement and introduced more pastel tones in line with the 1980s.
Art Deco continues to maintain steady popularity with minimal changes to the lines of the original design sensibilities.
Between both Art Deco and Art Deco Revival, you are bound to find fabulous examples of vintage and antique decor, lighting, furniture and signage. Try an online marketplace to start your search, or browse the Shop Secondhand Directory for a shop near you that specializes in Art Deco.
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Krista Montelpare is a freelance writer based in Nova Scotia and the founder of vintage shop Cellary.
