By Clarissa Allison | August 7th, 2015
The decorative forms of the Art Nouveau movement aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were. It’s hard to believe that just over a century ago, the graphic paintings and posters of Alphonse Mucha as well as the glass designs of René Jules Lalique were indicative of an international reaction to the academic art of the 19th century. The French translation of “New Art”, Art Nouveau can be summed as a philosophy that combines architecture, graphic art and illustration, applied arts including jewelry, furniture, and lighting, as well as the fine arts.
The Art Nouveau artist sought to use organic forms and reference the natural world whenever possible. In architecture, this often took the appearance of plant-derived forms in the mouldings of doorways and arches, or detailed building facades featuring sculpted curves or languid, carved floral creations. With nature as the principal source of inspiration, many artists found individual expression through this style of art.
One of the most well-known, Louis Comfort Tiffany, is the best remembered American designer known to revolutionize the decorative arts. His original stained glass windows and lamps, glass mosaics, blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, enamels and metalwork are still sought after today and inspire numerous artisans worldwide. On the Louie Lighting website, we offer several lighting fixtures in the Tiffany style of design. Below, we have highlighted a few from some of the top brands in the industry.
The ELK Lighting Latham 2 Light Wall Sconce in Tiffany Bronze 70098-2 is a beautiful art glass fixture featuring winding leaves and neutral colors accented by the clear water glass add to the contrast of light. Each shade is trimmed with solid brass beading and finished with Tiffany Bronze hardware with highlights.
This table lamp from the Lite Source Benard Collection, with its dark bronze body and Tiffany shade, will add elegance and nostalgia to any home. The lamp requires 2 40w Medium base bulbs (not included) and features two on/off pull chains.
Toltec Lighting’s Traditional Curl 3-Light Billiard Light in Bronzedazzles with Kaleidoscope Tiffany glass and romantic scroll work. The detailed finials and lovely garden motif complete this quality fixture. This light comes standard with 10′ Of Chain And 11′ Of Wire, has a medium base and accepts three 150W incandescent bulbs.
Gustav Klimt was a symbolist painter who helped found the Vienna Secession (Art Nouveau) movement. Klimt was a master of modern European painting, whose use of patterns, gold, jewel tones and seductive styling resonate with art fans all over the world. Klimt is the author of such well known pieces as “The Kiss”, “Three Ages of Women” and “The Tree of Life”. His distinctive and free style is instantly recognizable. As an artist/decorator in 1883, Klimt began painting murals in the Museum of Vienna. His largest accomplishment was the Beethoven Frieze, a series of mosaic decorations for Josef Hofman’s Palais Stoclet in Brussels. Klimt found inspiration in classical Greek, Byzantine, Egyptian, and Minoan art. Klimt unified all of these sources into a renewed and diverse style. Below, take a look at some of the Klimt-esque items available for purchase on the Louie Lighting site:
The Kenroy Home 32220BRZ Tanglewood 1-Light Outdoor Floor Lampis constructed of Natural looking all-weather rattan. The rattan entwines itself into a swirling patterned drum encircling a White glass inner shade.
Old world meets transitional styling in the Spanish Mosaic Collection by Elk Lighting. Translucent quartz stone is carved and pieced together to form attractive mosaics. Each stone comes to life when illuminated. Dark Antique Brass suspensions cradle the mosaic bowls for a refined elegance.
This beautiful wall sconce by Justice Design Group is from their Alabaster Rocks Collection. Pieces of real alabaster are hand-selected and suspended in resin, and offer a truly original mosaic look. When illuminated, each fixture displays its unique and varied colors, even more dramatically than solid alabaster.
The Dimond Lighting Traditional Amber and Crystal 1 Light Table Lamp is crowned with a beveled, round amber shade surrounded by quality crystal accents. This fixture provides sparkling detail and sophistication to any home. Its ambient light casts a soft glow over a wide range.
Antoni Gaudi was a Spanish architect born in Reus, Spain in 1852. Over the course of his career, Gaudi developed a surreal design style which established him as the ground-breaking leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement. He often juxtaposed unrelated schemes and altered established visual order. Gaudi’s distinctive form of Gothic architecture drew admiration from other avant-garde artists. His characteristically warped and colorful presentation lends his work a dreamlike and unique quality. If you are a fan of his work, the below fixtures may grab your attention.
The Chelsea Pendant is a Polished Chrome finish light featuring Glossy cased glass with banding detail – Monopoint Round Canopy included.
This indoor Capellini 4-Light Chandelier by Justice Design Group’s Alabaster Rocks Collection is created with hand-selected pieces of real alabaster and suspended in resin. When illuminated, each fixture displays its unique and varied colors, even more dramatically than solid alabaster. This fixture takes four 60W bulbs (not included) or B-13 Torpedo Max. The chandelier comes standard with a 6 ft. chain and 10 ft. of wire. Additional chain is available. Fluorescent Non-Dimming GU24: 13W Lamp (optional) or Fluorescent Dimming GU24: 15W Lamp (optional). To select any of the fluorescent lamp types, please call Customer Service for a price quote.
This vibrant Medici Mini Pendant by Kenroy Home features a Brushed Steel Finish with Modelli blown glass shades. Its enticing colors define the Medici line, with choices for any decor. The sophisticated shape provides just the right touch of color to any room. This pendant comes standard with 10 ft of field cuttable cord.
Alphonse Mucha was a Czech Art Nouveau painter and decorative artist who produced many paintings, illustrations, advertisements and designs. Mucha’s work has continued to experience periodic revivals of interest for illustrators and artists. Interest in Mucha’s remarkable style experienced a strong revival during the 1960s (with a general interest in Art Nouveau) and is particularly evident in the psychedelic posters of the time. His fluid use of pastels and romantic Neo-Classical style often featured beautiful young women, flowers, gardens, and designed borders. Below are fixtures he would have likely approved of.
Fortuny Venetia Studium’s Scudo Saraceno Decorated Silk lamp takes you on a journey to beauty, elegance, and grandeur . Produced exclusively by Venetia Studium of Venice, Italy, who are known for their sophistication, refined technique, high-quality finish and attention to detail – these lamps are designed by Mariano Fortuny. The 24 1/84″ diameter and 53″ high Fortuny Scudo Saraceno Decorated Silk Suspended Lamp is available in many designs including Serpentine, Classic, Carduus, with Ivory, Ochre, Sage Grey and Salmon colors to choose from. The Scudo Saraceno takes you to a timeless period when fine detailing and richness of materials was cherished. Each silk lamp is hand-crafted by Venetia Studium. Uncompromising performance and artistic charm are the promise of every Fortuny Scudo Saraceno lamp.
This exuberant style was created in large part from the influence of the recent discoveries in Mayan art. The decorative geometries and demonstrative colors led to the moniker Zig-Zag style. Home furnishings, lighting, fashion and even automotive designs were ornamented with these highly decorative but still modern forms. The Paris ceiling fan is resplendent in a bronze finish with leaded glass, of a fan that might have graced the salons and bistros of 1920’s Paris.
A19’s reFusion Collection seeks to make a difference in the environment by incorporating recycled window glass from local sources into stunning new pieces of art glass. The special, one-of-a-kind pieces can add a unique touch to a luxurious bathroom, a dream master bedroom suite, inviting dining room or gourmet kitchen. The reFusion Collection is made up of stunning, functional pieces of art that will be admired and appreciated for generations to come.
The unique meadow design of this piece features a colored pane of glass with flowers that have fused glass relief. Light shines through openings at the top and bottom of the fixture and brilliantly illuminates the beautiful design. Hand-made to A19’s exacting standards, using a kiln-fired ceramic base and recycled window glass from local sources.
How have you brought artistic and organic elements into your space? Send us your photos and be featured on the blog! Call us at 1877 385 2104 or email info@louielighting.com for inspiration for your next lighting project.
Dale Almond says
The lamp pictured at the top is intoxicatingly beautiful. Who designed this lamp? Is this an original or a reproduction? Thanks for any information you can give me.
Louie Lighting says
Hello Dale,
This lamp is made by an Italian company named Lampa Dani http://www.lampadani.it/
It is not available for purchase through Louie Lighting, but it is a beautiful lamp!
Dale Almond says
Thank you!
Stefano says
Lampa Dani shop is now Online! Go here to see the collection that you can buy online! http://www.lampadani.it/shop/. Enjoy!
Mark says
The free form green nouveau lamp! Info please! Where coukd in get one?
Louie Lighting says
Hi Mark,
See Stefano's comment above, lampadani.it is the site.