Art Nouveau: How Art Combines Beauty and Function
Should objects be beautiful or useful? This was the question that artists and designers faced during the Industrial Revolution. But one art movement showed that you don't have to choose between these two aspects: Art Nouveau, also known as Jugendstil.
This style, which emerged in the late 19th century, proved that culture and technology could be combined to create objects that were both functional and aesthetic.
The term "Jugendstil" comes from the magazine Jugend, founded in Munich in 1895, and describes a countermovement of young artists against historicism and soulless industrialization.
Origin and Philosophy of Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau emerged as a reaction to industrialization. While many artists emulated classical antiquity, others were inspired by nature. With organic shapes, floral patterns and curved lines, they brought back the balance between the mechanical world and the natural environment.
This “New Art” used modern industrial materials such as glass and steel without neglecting aesthetic demands.
While the Industrial Revolution designed many everyday objects to be purely functional, Art Nouveau rejected these "ugly" products. Instead, artists such as Victor Horta and Antoni Gaudí showed that new production techniques could also be used to bring beauty into everyday life.
Horta, who designed the famous Hotel Tassel in Brussels, combined iron and glass to create a curved, organic design that perfectly embodied the spirit of Art Nouveau.
Beauty and utility combined
A key element of Art Nouveau was the belief that everyday objects should be beautiful. But can “objectively beautiful” even exist?
Art shows that beauty is often subjective, but certain aesthetic principles, such as harmony and proportion, are universally accepted. Art can appeal to us emotionally, creating a deeper connection to our surroundings.
Forma Aeternus integrates both functional and aesthetic aspects into each unique piece. We believe that design should fulfil more than just practical purposes - it should also inspire and create a connection to objective beauty.
Art Nouveau and Modernism
Art Nouveau reminds us that modern technology and tradition can go hand in hand. In an age where function is often valued over aesthetics, it is crucial that we find this balance again.
This style, which dominated from 1890 to 1910, remains a source of inspiration for architects and designers today. Works such as Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Tiffany lamps show how industry and art can work together to create something beautiful.
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