I have a confession to make. Before I moved to Europe a decade ago, I
didn't realize that all the countries in the world were not actually named what
we call them in English. France was easy
as in French it is still called France, but the French call Holland "Pays Bas"
(The Low Country) while the Dutch call themselves Nederland. Germany is Deutschland and Switzerland ...
well, in truth, I always forget that they call themselves Confoederatio Helvetica, causing their
license tags to read a confusing CH while Spanish cars boast a giant E for Espaa.
While this might seem like common sense to you, did you realize that the style
we typically refer to as Art Nouveau also has a whole host of other names? In Germany it's called Jugendstil (Youth
Style) but in Austria, another German speaking country, it's referred to as the
Sezessionstil. Meanwhile, in the UK, Art Nouveau developed
out of the Arts and Crafts Movement and
is seen exemplified in Mackintosh's work
in Glasgow, so many Brit's simply refer to this style as the Glasgow Style. The
Americans aren't any better. We often
refer to all Art Nouveau design as Tiffany Style even on pieces that Louis
Comfort Tiffany had no hand in designing.
The Italians took no credit for the design. Instead, they looked to London's Liberty
& Co department store when naming the movement in their language, choosing
to call Art Nouveau the Stile Liberty
(Liberty Style). In Spain, Art Nouveau
is referred to as Modernisme
while in Denmark and Poland, Art Nouveau designs were absorbed into established
local movements called Sknvirke
(aesthetic activity) and Moda Polska (Young Poland).
Even in France, where the term Art Nouveau
originates meaning New Art, it wasn't always called by this term - in French you'll also find Art Nouveau pieces
referred to as Le Style Moderne
(The Modern Style). Several other
countries hopped on that band wagon, with Spain using Arte Joven (Young Art) and Italy occasionally refering to it as Arte Nuova (New Art), while The
Netherlands employed Nieuwe Kunst
(new art) and Russia settled on M
(contemporary). Some countries threw in
additional names that had more to do with the flowing lines and organic forms, so
keep your eyes peeled for phrases such as Stile Floreal (Floral Style), Lilienstil (Lily Style), Style
Nouille (Noodle Style) and Stile
Vermicelli (Macaroni Style). If
naming an art and design movement after pasta isn't enough, get this - Art Nouveau has even been referred to as Bandwurmstil (Tapeworm Style) and Paling Stijl (Eel Style).
All this is enough to give you a headache, but as I wave goodbye, I'll mention
just one more name for Art Nouveau -Wellenstil
(or the wave style). Ta Ta for now. Until next time,
The Antiques Diva
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