Influences & Inspirations - World of Nature

The natural world was the most important organic inspiration for Art Nouveau. The sensuous lines and organic forms were designed to communicate the tranquillity and calming affects of nature. The drawings were also analytically accurate, reflecting advances in biological knowledge. Botanical drawings of Henri Bergé were directly transposed onto Daum Frères glassware. Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919) was a German zoologist, a proponent of Darwinism and consultant to the British Challenger expedition, exploring the deep-sea environment. Watercolours and drawings from his journeys and the 1904 publication Kunstformen Der Natur were landmarks in the field of naturalist illustration. They were explicitly referenced by Art Nouveau artists and designers including Emile Gallé and Jugend publisher Georg Hirth.