Goddesses of Art Nouveau: Unveiling the Female Figure in Art at Allard Pierson Museum
Explore a rich collection of jewelry, posters, and decorative objects reflecting Art Nouveau's fascination with femininity.
The Allard Pierson museum presents 'Goddesses of Art Nouveau,' an exhibition dedicated to the complex portrayal of women during the Art Nouveau movement. Artists around 1900 often depicted the female form as a central motif, exploring themes from innocent virgins to powerful femme fatales. Explore a diverse array of stunning works, including intricate jewelry, iconic posters, and detailed book illustrations from renowned designers. This collection offers fascinating insight into the era's artistic sensibilities.
About Goddesses of Art Nouveau at Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Goddesses of Art Nouveau at Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam
Exhibition summary
This exhibition at the Allard Pierson explores the Art Nouveau fascination with the female figure around 1900, showcasing how artists depicted women as both dream and nightmare. It features a diverse range of works, including jewelry, posters, illustrations, and decorative objects, reflecting the era's artistic sensibilities and societal views.
Curatorial context
The Allard Pierson presents 'Goddesses of Art Nouveau,' the first exhibition in the Netherlands dedicated to the Art Nouveau movement's complex and often idealized portrayal of women. Around 1900, artists used the female form as a central motif, depicting them as innocent virgins, cruel mistresses, or pious Madonnas, reflecting a generation's desire to escape reality. The exhibition showcases a wide array of works, including intricate jewelry by René Lalique, iconic posters by Alphonse Mucha, book illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley, and many other pieces by renowned designers.
Art Nouveau, which flourished between 1890 and 1914, drew heavily from nature, incorporating organic shapes and motifs from flora and fauna. The exhibition highlights beautiful females with elegant bodies and flowing hair, inspired by antiquity, Byzantine icons, and medieval legends. It features drawings, paintings, jewelry, glass, ceramics, textiles, metalwork, book covers, and illustrations, with a dedicated section for female artists active within the movement. Film footage of Loïe Fuller's revolutionary Serpentine Dance is also screened. Additionally, visual artist Matthias Oostrik has created an interactive installation with dancer Suzan Tunca, and a separate space explores contemporary art inspired by the exhibition theme. The exhibition was compiled by guest curator Dr. Yvonne Brentjens and organized in collaboration with the Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe and the State Museum of Braunschweig.
Admission and ticket notes
Information about ticketing is not explicitly detailed on this page, but the exhibition is hosted at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam. Visitors may find further details regarding admission and booking on the museum's official website.
Goddesses of Art Nouveau key exhibition facts
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Goddesses of Art Nouveau at Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam
Venue
Allard Pierson Museum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Oct 1, 2020
Artist line / attribution
Featuring works by artists such as René Lalique, Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley, and Edward Burne-Jones, with a special focus on female artists active within Art Nouveau. An interactive installation by visual artist Matthias Oostrik with dancer Suzan Tunca is also presented. Compiled by guest curator Dr. Yvonne Brentjens.
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