Art Nouveau by Rosalind Ormiston and Michael Robinson

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

 

An often overlooked gem of our collection is the Oversized Books.  While there are books on many topics, from cake decorating to NASCAR, many of the books are on art.  One new to us entry is Art Nouveau:  Posters, Illustration & Fine Art from the Glamorous Fin de Siecle by Rosalind Ormiston and Michael Robinson. While the title sounds ponderous, the contents are not.  Art Nouveau refers to a style that became popular around the 1890s-early 1900s in Europe and in America. It tended to feature natural elements like flowers and trees, and flowing lines.  Women have beautifully draped clothes and wonderfully curling hair, along with wavy or circular design elements. Many well-known posters of the era used art nouveau design, most notably Alphonse Mucha’s posters for Sarah Bernhardt or Theophile Steinlen’s cat posters advertising everything from theater performances to beer to chocolate. In fact, advertising posters are perhaps the best known examples of Art Nouveau, as struggling artists found that a more lucrative way to make a living than waiting for commissions or hoping to sell paintings. These are instantly recognizable, even if you don’t know the artist or the particular work. “Le Chat Noir” or “Moulin Rouge” are among the best known.  American Louis Comfort Tiffany’s famous lampshades and windows are another famous example of that style as is Gustav Klimt’s painting “The Kiss" which adorns the book's cover.

The book itself is a gorgeous compilation.  Although posters and paintings form the bulk of the book, there are pieces of furniture, stained glass, and stunning jewelry included as well.  Ormiston is an art teacher and Robinson writes on British art and design, so they are well suited to provide the text.  It’s both readable and informative, if one can take one’s eyes off the glorious art long enough. 

While I recognized several names, there were new ones to discover as well.  I also hadn’t realized the influence of Japanese and other Asian art on the Art Nouveau movement, and there are literary influences as well.  I like that the authors show examples along with the definitions to help me see exactly what is meant.

As an added local bonus, the William King Art Museum in Abingdon has “The Art of Advertisement” exhibit going on now until October 27, 2024 which features Art Nouveau posters from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts collection. The Museum is free and if you enjoy this style, it’s well worth a visit. There are other exhibits as well, including one on the Highlands Festival.