Art History Timeline / Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
Art Nouveau means new art. Artists used curvy lines inspired by plants, flowers and insects. You can see it in posters, lamps, jewellery and even buildings.
For teachers
Art Nouveau was an international decorative style that broke down the line between fine art and design. Flowing whiplash curves and natural forms appeared in posters, glass, furniture and architecture. Japanese prints were one influence on its flat colour and strong outlines.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Long, curving whiplash lines
- Flowers, vines, dragonflies and peacocks
- Decorative borders and frames
- Stained glass and gold
Meet the artists
Alphonse Mucha
1860 to 1939
He became famous for theatre posters he designed for the actress Sarah Bernhardt.
Clara Driscoll
1861 to 1944
She designed more than 30 Tiffany lamps, including the Dragonfly and Wisteria lamps.
Gustav Klimt
1862 to 1918
He used real gold leaf in paintings such as The Kiss.
Antoni Gaudí
1852 to 1926
He worked for more than 40 years on the Sagrada Família church in Barcelona.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
Mäda Primavesi (1903–2000)Gustav Klimt, 1912 to 13The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
VaseLouis C. Tiffany, 1893 to 96The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Table lampTiffany Studios, ca. 1895 to 98The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Draw a frame of curving vines and flowers around the edge of your paper, letting the lines swoop and curl. Put your name or a favourite word in the middle in tall, curvy letters.
Ms Artastic lessons
The video lessons below connect to this part of the timeline. Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and a printable lesson plan. For free lessons you can teach this week, open the Free Art Lesson Library.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryQuestions teachers and parents ask
What is Art Nouveau?
Art Nouveau means new art. Artists used curvy lines inspired by plants, flowers and insects. You can see it in posters, lamps, jewellery and even buildings.
What time period is Art Nouveau from?
Time period: 1890s to 1910s. Where: Europe and the United States.
Who are some famous artists of Art Nouveau?
Alphonse Mucha (1860 to 1939), Clara Driscoll (1861 to 1944), Gustav Klimt (1862 to 1918) and Antoni Gaudí (1852 to 1926).
What is an easy art project for kids about Art Nouveau?
Draw a frame of curving vines and flowers around the edge of your paper, letting the lines swoop and curl. Put your name or a favourite word in the middle in tall, curvy letters.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Gustav Klimt video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
