The Palmer Museum of Art has had a lot of “newness” as of late — including a new building and new exhibits. This spring, The Palmer is featuring “The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art,” until May 11. Free for students and awe-inspiring for all, this iconic art movement captures the beauty of nature with a vintage touch.
Uncovering Art Nouveau’s Roots
In order to understand why this artist movement surfaced and thrived around the early 1900s, we have to go back to its roots. Quick history lesson from the Naval History and Heritage Command — sometime between 1853-1854, American Commodore Perry decided to sail to Japan to “negotiate” the opening of their borders to trade with the U.S. This negotiation was more accurately an intimidation, as Commodore Perry brought many steamboats with heavy artillery.
Japan had never seen machinery like this before, as their borders were closed for 200 years prior. They feared the ships were “giant dragons puffing smoke,” and understood that they couldn’t defend themselves against such a foreign power, instead opting to open trade. This eventually led to Americans’ increased interest in the “orient,” an outdated term to describe appropriated Asian cultures.
According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Nouveau was heavily inspired by “the unruly aspects of the natural world” and was composed of “sinuous lines” and “‘whiplash’ curves” similar to those seen in botanicals and deep-sea organisms. It also “drew upon elements of Japanese art,” because of this previously established trade relationship. The New York Times connects Art Nouveau to our history lesson stating, “It was the Japanese idea that objects — vases, dishware, vanity boxes and other items theretofore considered strictly utilitarian — were themselves art.”
The Palmer Museum Exhibit
After a trip around the beautiful nature of the arboretum, The Palmer’s lively collection of Art Nouveau pieces ranges from scroll-like portraits to ornate cabinets. This collection notably features works from Tiffany Studios, an iconic glassware artistry company, but offers practical forms like lamps and vases rather than stained glass windows. When wandering through all of the artwork one can’t help but feel a little fairy-like amongst objects decorated with blossoming flowers and delicate birds.
Something unique about this collection is how much furniture it features — which is not often considered art. However, drawing upon the Japanese influence of the everyday being art, one can see the craft and care in each curve and carving on cabinets and tables that twist in root-like ways. These wooden appliances have such depth and detail it puts the modern gray and boxy standard to shame.
According to The Palmer Museum of Art, “The Triumph of Nature will introduce a new generation to Art Nouveau’s luminous innovations and artistic triumphs, enticing visitors once more into these lustrous, nature-inspired havens of ornate beauty—all orchestrated over a century ago by visionary designers.”
After visiting the Art Nouveau collection, it’s hard to not feel more drawn towards nature and all of its simple beauties. It shows us how we can integrate an appreciation of nature into our everyday lives, and view it as a work of art rather than taking it for granted.
When are you planning your next trip to The Palmer? Let us know on X @VALLEYmag!
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