What is Art Deco?
It’s name was coined from the 1925 Paris France  ‘Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes’
Art Deco takes it’s inspiration from aspects of Cubism, constructivism (mainly a Russian movement ) and Futurism (mainly an Italian movement). Its geometric, often overlapping shapes and simplification celebrate and mimic the growing mechanization of industry and it’s new techniques, reflected in overlapping and repetitive images and with later developments of smooth, sleek forms paying homage to the newly discovered science of aerodynamics in the 1930’s.
What is Art Nouveau?
The Art Nouveau movement or ‘New Art’ is a French style that originated from the portrayal of nature in a fluid and curvilinear style. It often featured vines, leaves and flowers. It started in the late 1800’s and was popularized by such figures as Antonio Gaudi (1852-1926) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1861-1901) Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) and Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898).  It’s motivation derives from Romanticism, Symbolism and William Morris’ (1834-1896) Arts and Crafts movement in England. Also referred to as ‘fin de siecle’ art (Fr. for ‘end of the century’).