MODERN 1900 - 1950

Definition

Art Nouveau
‘Style of architecture and the decorative arts that flourished in Europe and the USA from c.1888 to c.1914, featuring asymmetrical compositions; attenuated blooms, foliage, roots, and stems with sinuous flowing lines, as though floating in water;’
[J.S.Curl. Dictionary of Architecture]

Art Deco
The fashionable Jazz Age style of severe geometrical patterns developed as a reaction to Art Nouveau. The name is taken from the Exposition International des Arts-Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris in 1924-5. ‘The discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 led to a new enthusiasm for Ancient Egyptian motifs and themes such as strong colouring, pyramidal compositions, and stepped forms. However, the canted arch, chevron, stepped corbelled arch…owed more to what C18 designers imagined was Egyptian,’ ‘
[J.S. Curl. Dictionary of Architecture]

The Modern Movement
‘C20 architectural movement (also called Modernism) that sought to sunder all stylistic and historic links with the past.’
[J.S. Curl Dictionary of Architecture]