Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau lessons and activities can provide a way for students to compare and contrast different artistic styles.
By Daniella Garran
Art Nouveau was a late nineteenth century artistic style popularized by artists like Gustav Klimt and other Viennese Secessionists. The main emphasis of Art Nouveau was elaborate decoration that was also utilitarian. The artists of this movement strove to incorporate fine art into what had been little more than crafts. The Art Nouveau style was applied to painting, illustration, architecture, and interior design. Widely popular in France and Vienna, Art Nouveau was a short-lived movement that was quickly surpassed by Expressionism, Fauvism and other post-war styles and movements.
In order to learn about this movement, you can have students compare and contrast the architecture of Art Nouveau with that of Art Deco. Explain to students that Art Nouveau emerged prior to World War I and was considered quite modern and cutting edge at the time. Whereas Art Nouveau involves some naturalistic elements and subject matter, Art Deco, which emerged after World War I, was bold, graphic and ostentatious, drawing little from nature.
You can show students some Art Nouveau patterns by artists like Gustav Klimt, Aubrey Beardsley and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Have them design similar patterns inspired by nature. Consider having them design a Tiffany style lampshade using their original pattern. You may even have them make one using colored tissue paper.
If you are able, consider making etched glass designs using translucent window film on inexpensive glass vases. After creating a design on paper, students can transfer their image to the film which can then be applied to the vase.
Finally, consider having students create an Art Nouveau mural. If you don’t have a wall that you are able to “donate” to this cause, use butcher paper instead. This is a wonderful culminating activity which will also serve as a team building activity as the entire class will have to work together. What follows are lesson plans that can help your students learn about Art Nouveau.
Art Nouveau Activities and Lesson Plans:
This engaging lesson allows students to take a multimedia approach to understanding the Art Nouveau style and movement. Using a scratchboard and clippings from magazines, students create an original design that is in the style of Viennese artist Gustav Klimt.
Architecture is an important element of Art Nouveau. This lesson incorporates an opportunity to compare and contrast Moorish, Gothic, Art Nouveau, Modern, and Richardsonian architecture. Students find out how to recognize the stylistic traits of Art Nouveau architecture. Also inherent in this lesson is an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in the math, language and fine arts departments.
Through the medium of lithography, students create naturalistic patterns in the style of Art Nouveau. The beauty of this lesson is that it can be used to demonstrate mastery of additional content while depicting it in a style inspired by the art nouveau style.