Art Nouveau
A decorative art movement of the 1890s-1910s characterized by organic, flowing lines inspired by natural forms -- plants, flowers, and the female figure -- applied across architecture, furniture, jewelry, and graphic art.
Art Nouveau ('New Art' in French) flourished between approximately 1890 and 1914, emerging as a reaction against the historicism and industrialization of 19th-century design. It sought to elevate all art forms to equal status -- the decorative arts were as significant as painting or sculpture.
The movement's visual signature is the flowing, curvilinear line inspired by natural forms: plant tendrils, flower stems, peacock feathers, waves, and the elongated female form. These sinuous curves were applied to everything from building facades (Gaudi in Barcelona, Horta in Brussels) to poster art (Alphonse Mucha's famous lithographs), furniture, glassware, and jewelry.
Gustav Klimt is often associated with Art Nouveau, though his work transcends the movement. His use of gold leaf, decorative pattern, and the fusion of figure and ornament in works like 'The Kiss' reflects Art Nouveau principles elevated to monumental painting.