History & Practice: End of the 19th Century - Differences Within Art Nouveau Across Europe

Art Nouveau is a decorative art style that developed around the 1890s as a rebellious counter-culture, rejecting the established academic arts' convention towards art and design. Art Nouveau was the new-hotness hitting the European art stage with flowing curves, unified design aesthetics, and dynamic forms inspired by nature. Art Nouveau ("New Art" in French) spread from France and  developed unique aspects as different European countries' culture influenced their art and design.

Glasgow - Scotland

Glasgow's style of art nouveau was more geometrically focused, with limited, less extreme usage of grand whiplash curves. The more organised, and practically structured nature of this style works well when applied to architectural design.

Martyr's School Doorway, 1895 - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

The unique style of art nouveau in Glasgow was developed by a quartet known as "The Glasgow Four". This group comprised of

• Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1868 - 1928
• Margret MacDonald Mackintosh 1864 - 1933
• Herbert MacNair 1868 - 1955
• Frances MacDonald 1873 - 1921

Queen's Cross Church Window Drawing, 1896 - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

The Glasgow style of art nouveau seems to have developed alongside the constraints of architecture, as such the designs are limited within relatively standard forms present on buildings. There are no impractically decorative elements included in the Glaswegian style of art nouveau, yet the decorations that are present have the nature-inspired flowing design that is common in traditional art nouveau.

Glasgow Herald Building Drawing, 1894 - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Glasgow Herald Building Doorway Painting , 1895 - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Revolving Bookshelf, 1904 - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

As the Glasgow style of art nouveau developed, it became more geometrically focused. This revolving bookshelf has no natural-looking curves, it is entirely geometric in its aesthetic. This trajectory of development would lean into the Arts & Crafts movement.

Madrid - Spain

Madrid's, similar to Glasgow's, Art Nouveau style is intertwined with the city's architecture. Madrid experienced an urban expa​nsion near the end of the 19th century, resulting in the construction of many new buildings as the city grew. 

Palace of Longoria Exterior Tower, 1902 - José Grases Riera

Palace of Longoria Interior Stairway, 1902 - José Grases Riera

Madrid's Modernista style of Art Nouveau  developed in the early 20th century as new  decorative buildings were commissioned.

Palace of Longoria Railings, 1902 - José Grases Riera

Madrid's integration into national trade was primarily focused on the construction industry, aiding in its localised expansion of architecture.
International trade of construction materials would allow new buildings to explore and utilise a wider array of materials with less financial risk.

Palace of Longoria Balcony Railings, 1902 - José Grases Riera

Palace of Longoria Interior Stairway Railings, 1902 - José Grases Riera

Madrid's Art Nouveau style is considerably more nature-centric when compared to the geometric themes of Glasgow's style. Floral features and organic curves are present in almost all aspects of Madrid's style, depicted in plaster, iron, and glass decorations.

Nancy - France

Nancy is considered the epicentre of the Art Nouveau movement as it spread across Europe. As such, Nancy has a greater number of Art Nouveau buildings than any of the other Cities we've looked at.

The style of Art Nouveau present in Nancy is focused on nature, features of plants, and insects are common in the decorative elements of Nancy's Art Nouveau architecture.

Génin-Louis Lintel, 1901 - Henri Gutton, Henry Gutton, & Frédéric Schertzer

Shop Vaxelaire, 1901 - Charles Andre, Emile Andre, & Eugene Vallin

Villa Majorelle Doorway, 1902 -Henri Sauvage

Huot House Doorway, 1903 - Émile André

Nancy's Art Nouveau style combines several materials made more accessible due to growing industry within the region into decorative architecture.
Iron and wood works provide a façade for panes of glass, clear or decorated. These fronts silhouette plant-like structures from the inside of a building, while also containing a more detailed face that projects outward.

Vienna - Austria

Vienna's Art Nouveau movement goes by the name Jugendstil which translates as "Young Style", or "Youth Style". This style of Art Nouveau originated in Germany and spread throughout the south-eastern parts of Europe. This style shares a similar focus on natural forms and more organic, flowing lines.

As with the other cities covered, Vienna was experiencing a period of growth, resulting in new infrastructure and more buildings being constructed with modern materials. A new railway system was being built in Vienna during its Jugendstil period, as such stations and grand public halls were being constructed to accommodate the railway.

The decorative elements in Vienna's style seem to have a more practical and restricted form, similar to the Glasgow style, they do not impede the functionality of an object. Vienna's Art Nouveau decorations seem to be applied to an object rather than being integrated into the object unlike the styles of Madrid or Nancy where the decorative element is integral to an object's structure, where form and function are one-in-the-same.

There is a clear disconnect between decorative elements and practical elements of Viennese Art Nouveau constructs. However, the decorative elements seem to be more lavish in their aesthetic, golden elements feature prominently leaving some of the less shiny assets in the design go unnoticed.

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