Please define some differences between Art Deco and Art Nouveau. I know Art Deco started as an interior design and evolved into architecture in the US, but I find it somewhat difficult to differentiate between the two and would like to view some examples. I know Art Deco (the architecture) often involved flora, fauna, and natural elements, and that Art Nouveau was supposed to be more fluid and involved same natural elements. I am trying to be able to understand how to tell the difference.

-- m.lee (matahairy@sinclair.net), May 30, 1999

Answers

art nouveau originated in Paris and is typically french in style. This is still evident in the french architecture and metro stations. They demonstrate the fluidity you mention and a softness in stylying as opposed to the geometric nature of art deco. I often think as a.n. as very feminine in style and a.d. masculine.

-- ursula cameron (ursula@herbalshaw.demon.co.uk), October 28, 2001.

Art Nouveau was a reation to the historicism of the Arts and Crafts Movement. It was about creating a whole new style - full of organic shapes and very fond of the female form. Flowing, sinuous lines were often used. Art Nouveua examples can be seen in: the Paris Metro, Barcelona Catherderal, The Willow Tearooms. Art Deco was escapism from the First World War. Some designers also wanted to get away from the organic images and concentrated on glamour. There was less flowing lines and more geometric shapes - also influences from Egypt and the Orient. Many repetitive patterns: the zig-zag, fan, chevron, sunburst. Most of this applies mainly to Art Deco/Nouveau in Britain - i'm less familiar with the stlye in the US.

-- Kristy (dothe_wicked_seeyou@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

Art Nouveau is girly and hobbit-like. Art Deco rocks the house like there is no tomorrow.

-- Addison DeWitt (kain_54@hotmail.com), December 09, 2003.

"I know Art Deco (the architecture) often involved flora, fauna, and natural elements"

i disagree with that. Art deco is more based on machinery and mass production...

-- bob (yer@yer.com), November 12, 2004.

Art Nouveau is more of a movement to show the changes in the world at that time. Art Deco is a specific style.

-- H. Waelder (hlwaelder1s@semo.edu), February 01, 2005.