Art Nouveau – what is it all about? This is a question asked by many lovers of art and design history. Art Nouveau, also known as Modernism, Arte Nova, Art Nouveau, Modern Style or Jugendstil, depending on the country in which it appeared, was the name given to the artistic movement that emerged in Europe at the end of the 19th century. It emerged to protest against the revivalist and academic nature of the traditional trends that dominated the period. It spread rapidly throughout Europe, but had a very short life.
What is Art Nouveau
The primary source of inspiration for Art Nouveau was nature. The most commonly used elements take on forms of animal, vegetal, and floral origin, with the latter taking centre stage. Stylized representations of sunflowers, lilies, poppies, water lilies, pansies, palm leaves, and more are often arranged along sinuous lines. Additionally, the sensual female figure is a recurring element in the movement. Beyond these influences, Art Nouveau also drew inspiration from Japanese art.
Art Nouveau didn’t just explore new forms and aesthetic concepts. In architecture, it adopted new materials such as steel, concrete, reinforced concrete, glass, and ceramics. Ornamentation took center stage on facades and also in interiors.
In Portugal, the movement had a different trajectory compared to Europe. It arrived later, from 1905, and lasted until the end of the second decade of the same century. The movement in Portugal features a strong eclectic component with its own unique characteristics.
Art Nouveau in Aveiro
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Aveiro experienced a period of great economic and cultural growth. In addition, the return of wealthy emigrants from Brazil and the rise of a new bourgeoisie in the city created a favourable environment for Art Nouveau to flourish. However, the influence of the Art Nouveau movement in the city was characterised by a certain simplicity. It focused mainly on the decorative elements of the main façade. This contrasted with the more conservative structure and decoration of the interiors.
As a result of the most varied local trends, and with unique elements such as the Japanese arch, we find several buildings that are emblematic of this movement. Iron railings, mouldings on doors and windows, stained glass windows are some of the characteristic elements of the movement that can be found in many buildings. But the most striking element is the use of tiles with motifs characteristic of the movement on the façades.
Francisco Augusto da Silva Rocha is the architect with the most Modern Style buildings in the city. In addition to him, there are other names that stand out in the movement in Aveiro, such as Jaime Inácio dos Santos, José de Pinho, Carlos Mendes and Ernesto Korrodi.
Come and take a trip back in time to the Belle Époque in Aveiro, the City Museum of Modern Art in Portugal.