DSDN 171 Blog 2: Research Statement and Annotated Bibliography

To explore the style of Art Nouveau, covering its development and characteristics, the style influences behind it, and the major proponents of the style.

Greenhalgh, P. (Ed.). (2000). Art Nouveau: 1890-1914. London: Victoria and Albert Museum .

This book explores the history of the style, looking at the designers and artists who championed it, and the architecture, decorative arts and ornaments that were created during the art nouveau period.

LWL State Museum. (2007).  Hermann Obrist: the Lone Cyclamen. (Original in possession of the Munich City Museum). Image retrieved from http://www.lwl.org/pressemitteilungen/mitteilung.php?urlID=17592

Hermann Obrist: The Lone Cyclamen

This image of embroidery by Hermann Obrist is an example of the “whiplash” curve which is a feature piece of Art Nouveau. The image was chosen because it shows this characteristic curve.

Madsen, S. T. (1975). Sources of Art Nouveau. New York, NY: Da Capo Press. (Original work published 1956)

This book reviews the influences behind art nouveau and it’s development, ideals and leading figures of the style. Looks at the style’s application in a range of fields, from architecture to the applied arts.

Marinica, A. (2011). The influence of art history on modern design – Art Nouveau [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.pixel77.com/the-influence-of-art-history-on-modern-design-art-nouveau/

This blog article covers the history and use of art nouveau in architecture and design, and looks at how it influences modern design today.

Silverman, D.L. (2011). Art Nouveau, art of darkness: African lineages of Belgian Modernism, part I. West 86th: A Journal of Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture, 18(2),  139-181. doi: 10.1086/662515.

This article focuses on Belgian art nouveau and seeks to show how it was inspired by “Congo motifs – the vine, the lash and the elephantine.” (Silverman, 2011). It focuses on the works of Belgian architects and designers of the time such as Victor Horta, and  suggests a relationship between the “whiplash” curve and the lash/whip.