Art Nouveau

1. Describe specific qualities of this style that will help you identify it in the future, including typography.
Art Nouveau was a period where western artists started getting inspired by Asian art, Most of it could be described as abstract, simplified, flat color, bold black shapes, and decorative patterns such as vine tendrils, flowers (roses and lilies especially), birds (mostly peacocks), and the human female form. Lines were mostly inventive and realism was rejected and symbolism was incorporated. Sources from art nouveau includes: William Blake's book illustrations, Celtic ornament, rococo style, the Arts and Crafts movement Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and Japanese decorative designs.

2. What was the impetus for this design movement?
What started the Art Nouveau movement was due to the treaties brought by commodore Matthew C. Perry that resulted in the collapse of Japan's isolationist polices and led to open trade in the West and an increased fascination in Asian art for Europeans and North American designers

3.At least 2 designers you admire who created important works in this style & the title of their pieces
The two designers that I admired the most are very similiar in their designs. The first one is Henri de Tolouse-Lautrec and the one piece of work I liked the best from him is figure 11-24 titled "La Goulue au Moulin Rouge". The other designer I admired was Theophile Alexandre Steinlen and the poster he created that I like the most is figure 11-28 titled "Tournee du chat noir".