Art Nouveau and Art Deco are both influential artistic movements of the early twentieth century, and although they have some similarities, there are also key differences between them. Differences between Art Nouveau and Art Deco: test your skills here.

Art Nouveau, which developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focused on craftsmanship and creating art with a sense of movement and dynamism. It was heavily influenced by nature, and often featured curved and flowing lines, as well as floral and plant motifs. Influential Art Nouveau artists include Alphonse Mucha, Antoni Gaudí, and Hector Guimard.

In contrast, Art Deco was a sleek, modernist style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. It often featured geometric shapes and strong, vibrant colors. The style was popular in the decorative arts and architecture and was heavily influenced by machine–made technology. Some of the most notable Art Deco artists include Tamara de Lempicka, Jean Dupas, and Erte.

It‘s difficult to say which style is better, as each has its own unique aesthetic appeal. Both Art Nouveau and Art Deco have had a lasting impact on the art world and continue to inspire countless artists to this day.

Some art nouveau artists and curiosities of their lifes:

1. Hector Guimard was known as the ‘King of the Cast Iron‘ and had a quirky sense of humor. He often used cast iron to create whimsical shapes, such as an elephant–shaped mailbox.

2. Victor Horta was the ‘Father of Art Nouveau‘ and his buildings were known for their dramatic curved lines. He also had a passion for smoking, and was known to be quite a smoker in his later years.

3. Antoni Gaudi was renowned for his unique and exuberant style. He often included playful elements in his architecture, such as a strange creature, known as ‘El Eloquente‘ in the main stairwell of the Casa Batlló.

4. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a master of mixing the traditional with the modern, often combining straight lines and sharp angles with organic shapes. He also had a passion for gardening and was known to have a deep knowledge of plants.

Some art deco artists and curiosities of their lifes:

1. Albert Kahn was known for his bold and daring architectural designs, but he also had a fun side – his favorite hobby was playing the banjo!

2. Erich Mendelsohn was a major proponent of Expressionist architecture, but he often joked that he had a fear of straight lines!

3. Robert Mallet-Stevens was one of the most influential architects of the Art Deco era, but he also loved to play pranks – legend has it he once put a live donkey in the Louvre!

4. Antoine Bourdelle was a master of the Art Deco style and a pioneer in the use of concrete, but he also liked to take a break every now and then – he would often take a break from his architectural projects to play practical jokes on his fellow architects!

Art Nouveau was a style of art and architecture that originated in Europe in the late 19th century and was popularized throughout Europe and North America for the first two decades of the 20th century. Art Deco, on the other hand, is an international style of visual arts, architecture, and design that first appeared in France just before World War I. While Art Deco had some influence from European design, it was heavily influenced by American and East Asian art and design styles. Thus, while Art Nouveau was primarily a European movement, Art Deco was much more international in scope.