How To Identify The Differences Between Art Nouveau and Art Deco Style?
You would think the two styles are similar, but in fact they have many differences. Actually the two styles overlapped with Art Deco taking over the Art Nouveau style in time. Add the Arts and Crafts movement in there too and identifying each can be even more complicated.
Art Nouveau came first starting in the late 1800s until the early 1900s. The name came from an interior design gallery in Paris named Maison de l''''Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau is known for the use of organic shapes and intricate patterns. Think of the Titanic.
Art Deco was generally in the 1920s and 30s. The name came from the French Exposition International des Arts Decoratifs et Industiels Modernes or living in the modern world. Also know as Modern Style or 1925 Style, it is a product of the industrial or machine age. A good example is the 1930s Worlds Fair in Chicago.
The two periods really are quite different as you can see in the chart below. This chart gives specifics on the two periods of design and will help you in identifying art pieces and their era.
| ART NOUVEAU | ART DECO |
| Ornate | Angular |
| Flowery | Geometrical |
| Softness |
Hard Edged |
| Elegant | Dramatic |
| Titanic Era | Machine Age |
| Feminine | Masculine |
| Intricate | Streamlined |
| Curvy, Swirly | Sharp Geometrics |
| Romantic | Avante Garde |
| Sultry Lines | Zigzag Lines |
| Nature - Animals, Insects, Plants | Basic Shapes |
| Carved Women, Nudes | Primary, Bold Colors |
| Long Silhouettes | Skyscrapers |
| Mystical Poses | Modern |
| Free-Flowing Hair and Water | Empire State Bldg. |
| Blowing Breeze |
Use both even though there are stark differences. If you want to use both in your decorating, the softer nouveau pieces will offset the geometrics of Art Deco.
No need to worry about the period your pieces came from, as long as you like them, they go well together, and they create a comfortable environment in your room.