Hector Guimard, Victor Horta, and Henry Van der Velde On Art Nouveau

During the 1890's, the Art Nouveau movement developed in response to the English Arts and Crafts movement. Inspired in large part to the advancement in wrought iron technology, and also styles from Japan, the Middle Ages, and Rococo, Art Nouveau was the outcome of the transformation in the industrial arts. Prior to this movement, the role of iron had been the main topic of debate among architects of every style. Not surprisingly, Viollett-Le-Duc is partly held responsible for the explosion of this new style due to his expressive use of iron as an architectural medium. In regards to Guimard, Horta, and Van der Velde, the transpiration of a style such as Art Nouveau was a milestone, seen in the pure form of opportunity. They were each heavily influenced by this movement, adapting it along with their own stylistic approach to design.

Nouveau style poster

Victor Horta can easily be seen as one of the leading architects and designers of Art Nouveau. Inspiring artists all over Europe at the time, his style influenced many avant-garde group artists, particularly in Belgium. At the turn of the twentieth century, Horta began designing various houses in Brussels,one of note was the Hotel Tassel, one of his more early works of art, but none the less inspiring. He was also very influential in the rise of the Belgian Art Style, alongside fellow architect Henry Van der Velde who we will talk more about later. The style of Horta is very linear, yet has a swirling, fluid quality, derived from the stems of plants found in nature. Throughout his projects, every material, ornament, and surface is carefully assembled together in highly detailed and poetic unity. The houses he designed are especially significant examples of this observation. The architecture of the forms is impressive, yes, but it is within these walls where we find the organic forms of the Belgium Art Style nestled in the actuality of an interior architecture. Rooms are shaped irregularly, opening into one another, an iron staircase echoing the curving motif of a mosaic tiled floor. This new establishment of an architecture focusing on the design of whole interiors, combining small interior pieces into the overall feeling, creating complete architecture as a whole. 

Hotel Tassel staircase and ornamentation

Hector Guimard studied decorative arts in Paris, and was inspired by new theories of architecture. He was particularly inspired by the radical ideas of Viollett-Le-Duc and also by the flowing architecture of the previous mentioned Victor Horta. These idols had a great influence on his designs, and inspired him to produce exceptional works of avant-garde. In fact, it was after visiting Victor Horta's Hotel Tassel in Brussels that he sought to re-evaluate his design approach, deeming that furniture and interior decor of a house were a necessity to create a total body of work. One of his most famous contributions is the station entrances to the Paris subway "Le Metropolitain", a standing expression to the new artistic movement. The work of Guimard is very decorative, and shares many of the characteristics of Victor Horta's work: fluid and unusual lines, with vibrant curves. Guimard also uses shapes underlined by light, and plays with the contrast of different materials such as wood, iron, and stone. This floral and organic style most represents the Art Nouveau style of France, and is known today as the "Guimard Style".

Entrance to Paris Metro

Along with Victor Horta, Henry Van der Velde was very influential in the rise of the Belgian Art Nouveau Style. He first trained as a painter, strudied architecture and applied arts later. Known particularly for his furniture, he presented his furniture works in a gallery known as "L'Art Nouveau" in Paris, where he became an international sensation. Van der Velde was a member of the avant-garde group known as "Les Vingt" and became familiar with the English Arts and Crafts Movement, paying special attention to the likes of William Morris. Henry was considered a forerunner and father of modernism and functionalism during the Art Nouveau movement, as he delivered a contemporary style of architecture, furniture design, and crafts. He was known as the first Art Nouveau artist to work in an abstract style, developing the concept of the union of form and function. He has designed a wide range of furniture and crast items, but one of his major architectural works is the Van de Velde House in Brussels.

Van de Velde House