Art Nouveau

Modern elegance in form and ornamentation began in the streets of late 19th-century Europe: Art Nouveau. Emerging in cities like Paris, Brussels, and Vienna, this movement sought to break down the barriers between fine art and everyday life. It embraced natural forms, flowing lines, and craftsmanship at a time when industrialization threatened individuality. Artists and designers like Hector Guimard and Alphonse Mucha reimagined everything from architecture to typography as expressions of organic beauty and harmony.