Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau, meaning ‘New Art’, is an international design style that became prominent in decorative arts and architecture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The style aimed to move away from previous styles of popular art and embrace a more natural approach often inspired by flowers and plant life. Art Nouveau was thereby characterized by strong curves and flowing shapes creating very elegant pieces of work in the form of sculptures, paintings, fabrics, furniture, jewellery and architecture.
One of the most famous names creating work in the genre was Alphonse Mucha who, although hugely popular now, was not considered a great Artist in his lifetime as his work appeared on advertising and packaging.