Art Nouveau “Jugendstil” and freedom of lettering
Art Nouveau, meaning “New Art,” is an elegant decorative style that emerged in Europe around the turn of the 20th century. Known in Italy as Stile Liberty, in German speaking countries it’s called Jugendstil. The artistic-philosophical movement is characterized by sinuous, flowing lines, organic shapes, and rich decorative details inspired by nature. Art Nouveau artists stylized flowers, plants, and natural forms into graceful, intertwining patterns. It encompasses painting, architecture, graphic design, and decorative arts. The style was a reaction against the impersonal mass production of the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing handmade quality, beauty, and individuality. A distinctive feature of Art Nouveau is its expressive lettering. Artists broke traditional rules of typography, drawing letters that swell, curve, and twist like living plants. These letters were treated as artistic elements equal to illustrations, marking the birth of modern lettering design. Massimo is going to show us how to get inspired by this style and unlock its potential. Meanwhile, Marí will turn the designs into a book or a series of books.

The course is taught in English but a language support can be provided during the course if necessary.

Materials:  A detailed material list will be sent out before the course starts and the materials for the book will be provided and are included in the course fee.

Massimo Polello Graphic Designer lives as a freelance artist in Turin, Italy.