The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art

The Triumph of Nature includes approximately 120 Art Nouveau treasures from the Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk, VA). Founded in 1933 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Museum was renamed in 1971 when Walter P. and Jean Chrysler donated most of their extensive collection to the Museum. Ranging from Egyptian sculpture and Roman glass to contemporary works by Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, their collection includes one of the finest and largest holdings of Art Nouveau objects in the United States. Drawing inspiration from the elegance of nature, the brief yet intense artistic movement of Art Nouveau emerged in Europe during the late 19th century and spanned across the globe until 1915. Characterized by the dynamism of flowing asymmetrical lines, sinuous curves, and elaborate patterns, often inspired by natural forms like plants and flowers, Art Nouveau was an international style of art, architecture, and decorative arts. It integrated fine and applied arts and promoted craftsmanship and artistry in reaction to mass production and industrialization. This comprehensive exhibition gathers a profusion of Art Nouveau objects — furniture, paintings, sculpture, mosaics, books, posters, prints, lamps, and glass — all of them originally designed and coordinated to complement each other. Among these are furniture by Louis Majorelle and Georges de Feure, glass by Emilé Gallé, ceramics by the Zsolnay factory in Hungary, and prints by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. Designing for a range of clients and settings, including domestic and commercial projects, these artists fashioned their diverse works to complement each other in harmonious visual arrangements, conceiving of Art Nouveau as a holistic and immersive environment or Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art). This exhibition runs from February 14 through April 4, 2026.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3284780-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3284780-2

Read More

View Less