IWT Task 1
Comparison of Art Nouveau with Fauvism
Sandra Robbins
Student ID: 000341001
Western Governors University
RN to BSN online

Comparison of Art Nouveau with Fauvism
A1. Earlier Historical Art Period
Art Nouveau was developed during the late 19th century and early 20th century. During that time there was increased industrialism and increase in technology. It was a time of social unrest, oppression, and environmental pollution. The artists of this style reverted back to nature with the discovery of new plants and animals. They reacted against the earlier styles. ("Gateway modern age," 2001). The artists used a sensual theme with ornamental details which included “S” curves and willowy lines ("Short History, n.d.).
A2. Later Historical Art Period
Fauvism was also developed during the late 19th century and early 20th century and the Industrial Revolution also affected the artists. They had to deal with the pollution and social unrest. They rejected tradition but did so in a more dramatic form. Fauvism looked to nature for inspiration but in much bolder colors and more abstract form. The artists used pure unmixed colors in combination with their own personal expression. It showed the world what color could do, how it can change meaning, create feeling, and cause commotion ("Fauvism," para. 3). Fauvism broke down the traditional styles and paved the way for new.
A3. Relationship
Art Nouveau from the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism era was the inspiration and beginning to Fauvism from the Modernism era.
A3a. Similarities or Differences
There were multiple similarities in the style and historical era during Art Nouveau and Fauvism periods. The era was of the Industrial Revolution, increase in industries which brought pollution into the environment. The people were oppressed and social unrest was prevalent. The artist wanted to change their world and expressed it in their art. In both art styles, the artist were rebelling against the old traditions and going out on their own to develop new aesthetic expression. As the world grew, new material and new technology was available for artists to experiment with, and they did, bringing the new styles into being. Both styles shook up the art world. Both were not readily accepted due to the seemingly abnormal art works.
The similarity was both looked to nature for their inspiration but that was where the similarity ended. The difference in the two art styles is Art Nouveau used muted soft colors with controlled and traditional aspects. Fauvism used bright, bold colors with increasing abstraction.
A3b. Explanation
The purpose of deviating from the Art Nouveau to Fauvism was for the artist to be able to express themselves as they saw the subjects and not as how the world perceived them. Rather than keeping with the old as previous art periods did, Fauvism open up a new avenue for the arts.
A4. Comparison of Works
An example of Art Nouveau is the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt ("Adele," n.d., p. 1). The colors are muted and soft. The colors of brown and gold in the portrait remind you of autumn. As you look at the picture, you notice the flowing dress, the wavy hair, and her sensuous facial features which are all trademarks of Art Nouveau.
An example of Fauvism is Woman with Hat by Henri Matisse ("Woman with Hat," n.d., p. 1). The colors are bright and bold. As you look at the picture your eyes are drawn to the odd placing of the colors. The woman herself is abstract in form when compared to previous art forms in more tradition.
Both paintings are of a woman but that is where the likeness ends. The Art Nouveau painting is flowing in soft colors, each blending in to make the painting elegant looking. The Fauvism colors appear splashed randomly, giving the appearance of being unfinished.
A5. Influence of Later Historical Art Period Art Nouveau set the stage for Fauvism to be developed, as both returned to nature but Fauvism took it to the next level, leading the era into Modernism. Art Nouveau kept with the traditional style to a degree but Fauvism went with the artists own expression of the subject and so abstract came into being. As Fauvism showed what the artist could do with their own impression of the subject, many more styles developed each one more abstract than Fauvism. Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, and Surrealism followed Fauvism and each took the part of abstraction from Fauvism and developed their own style to suit their impressions. Cubism used angles and geometric forms to express their subjects. Surrealism use dreams and formed them into distorted context. In the preceding art styles after Fauvism, abstraction was the normal not the exception.

References
Fauvism. (). Retrieved from http://www.artfortune.com/fauvism/
Gateway to our Modern Age. (2001). Retrieved from http://journalofantiques.com/2001/features/art-noveau-gateway-to-our-modern-age/
Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Adele_Bloch-Bauer_I
Short History of Art Nouveau. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.senses-artnouveau.com/art_nouveau.php?page=1
Woman with Hat. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_with_a_Hat