An Analysis Of William J. Curtis's Art Nouveau

The chapter “The Search for New Forms and the Problem of Ornament” in William J. Curtis’ book Modern Architecture since 1900, explores the development of the avant-garde style “Art-Nouveau” during the late 18th to early 19th century in Europe. The author uses photographs, plans, and drawings to provide an aid for the reader to visualize the content of the text. I have selected twenty-five images which I personally believe better support the text in a more organized and readable manner. Throughout the chapter, the author explores the growth and development of this complex style through well-known projects and considers how they were inspired by both traditional design concepts as well other avant-garde projects. As the Art-Nouveau period has such a vast and complex range of characteristics, it can be difficult to establish connections …show more content…
His church, La Sagrada Familia, is an monumentally elaborate piece of Art Nouveau architecture. I featured an exterior view of the church similar to Curtis’ (Fig. 6.1) as well as photograph of the ceiling of the nave (Fig. 6.2), revealing the ornamental detail which is reminiscent of gothic architecture, yet captures the innovative natural forms of Art Nouveau. Gaudi further experimented with these forms in his Casa Balto and Casa Mila. Included in my selection is a straight-on view of the façade, revealing the ornament of the colourful roof, animalistic balconies, and detailed wall murals (Fig, 7.1). The interior of the building further explores organic influences through columns and roof which curve towards a chandelier (Fig. 7.2). This dynamic, bone-like wall structure is then seen in the sinuous exterior walls of the Casa Mila (Fig. 7.3), exhibited through photograph take from below, in order to better reveal the curvature of the walls and the intricate leaf designs of the