The essence of Art Nouveau style (1895-1910) is described by naturalistic sensuous lines derived from vegetal curves and willow leaves, subtle light, feminine figures and curly hair, fluent dresses and attitudes, twisting waves and evanescent smoke, but also by controlled lines, geometric details, colorful new shapes.

Also Art Nouveau was inspired by the idea of “total art”.

These characteristics are also seen in the essence of Rococo style. Some critics interpret the Art Nouveau style as a turn-of-the-centnry reinvention of the Rococo.

The movement’s inspiration was pastoral and earthly by nature. Art Nouveau shares the naturalism with Rococo in different dimensions.

Generally said, Naturalism in art refers to the depiction of realistic objects in a natural setting. In this context, Naturalism began in the early Renaissance, and developed itself further throughout the Renaissance, such as with the Florentine School.

Naturalism , Organic Architecture and Expressionism are generic terms for Art Nouveau of which styles overlap one another and were often only a stage in an architect’s/ artist’s working span.

The First World War (1914-1918) marked the end of the Art Nouveau style.

The world had changed and with it the mentalities.

The elegance, sensuality, flamboyance of Art Nouveau was going to be substituted by more rational styles as Art Deco and Bauhaus all influenced by one of the major cultural and artistic movements of the 20th-century.