On view from June 12 through September 21 at the Long Island Museum (LIM) in Stony Brook, The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art invites visitors to experience the elegance, sensuality, and organic inspiration of the Art Nouveau movement through more than 120 exquisite works of decorative and fine art. This nationally touring exhibition, organized by the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, occupies two galleries at LIM and features a diverse range of objects—including glass, furniture, paintings, and sculpture—created by some of the most celebrated artists and artisans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha, Louis Majorelle, and Émile Gallé.
Art Nouveau, known for its fluid curves, botanical motifs, and emphasis on craftsmanship, emerged during the Belle Époque era and has continued to influence generations of designers and artists. LIM Co-Executive Director Joshua Ruff describes the exhibition as a celebration of “the florid, languorous curves, natural motifs, and refined elegance” that define the movement, and notes that while the museum has incorporated Art Nouveau elements in past exhibitions, this marks LIM’s first show solely dedicated to the style.
In addition to its artistic significance, The Triumph of Nature carries a meaningful local connection. Louis Comfort Tiffany lived at Laurelton Hall, his 600-acre estate in Laurel Hollow, where he brought to life a distinctive blend of Islamic art and natural motifs in architecture and interior design. The Chrysler family also has roots on Long Island—Walter P. Chrysler and his family summered in Kings Point, where their estate later became Wiley Hall at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Walter P. Chrysler Jr., along with his wife Jean, played a key role in developing the Chrysler Museum’s renowned Art Nouveau collection.
This exhibition is part of a 13-museum national tour and the only stop in New York State, making it a rare opportunity for regional audiences. Ruff shared that LIM quickly secured its place on the tour when it was announced in 2022, noting the museum’s excitement to bring this collection to Long Island. The influence of Art Nouveau will also resonate throughout LIM’s upcoming exhibitions later this season, including Gatsby at 100 and Giants and Gems, creating thematic links that explore design, beauty, and cultural legacy across time periods.
The Long Island Museum, located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, is open Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults; discounts are available for seniors, students, and persons with disabilities, while children under six, military personnel, and LIM members enjoy free admission. For more details about The Triumph of Nature and other exhibitions, visit https://longislandmuseum.org/exhibition/the-triumph-of-nature.
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