Art nouveau style - then and now

 Some of my happiest hours have been spent leafing through the works of artists of past generations and trying to analyse past styles of painting. Of course, very few artists have ever designed for embroidery (and even fewer for computerised embroidery!) but that makes it all the more interesting to try and work out how styles from the past can be adapted to modern techniques. One of my favourite styles is Art Nouveau - to my mind it manages to be spontaneous, elegant and emotional all at the same time

 

I've recently discovered the work of the artist Arthur Mackmurdo, and here's one of his best-known works, the cover of a book on London churches

 

The work of Arthur Mackmurdo

 

Who could resist those wonderful sinuous lines! I certainly couldn't, so here's an interpretation in embroidery of his leaves and flowers.

 

A modern version

 

I would never put myself at his level - I still have too much to learn before I get that far! But I hope that he would at least be flattered at proving such an inspiration to future generations

Comments

[Suzanne Rust]

Oooh! This may be an all-time favourite among all your beautiful designs! Just gorgeous. I prefer Art Nouveau to Art Deco because of the fluidity and grace, which you have captured beautifully. I'm glad to discover a new-to-me artist, whose style I love at first sight! (Must research further.) Your 21st Century interpretation is spot-on; he would surely be pleased to inspire an artist so many years in his future. A lovely tribute, Mia!

[Gail Beam]

Hi Mia, Your interpretation of this art nouveau artist through your digitized flowers is magnificent. You flowers exhibit a graceful elegance that Arthur Mackmurdo would surely have appreciated and admired.

[Liz]

This is beautiful!

[Marty Vint]

Mia, I love your embroidery interpretation of Mackmurdo’s lines and curves. A lovely job indeed.

[Mia]

Hey, I thought that birds were your thing! But Im really glad you like them - its a huge compliment

The question of the exact name of an art style is difficult. I think that Mackmurdo is mostly thought of more as an Arts and Crafts person rather than Art Nouveau, but it really makes so little difference. Personally I think that the movement and artistry of his designs are more Art Nouveau, but a real artist wont fall neatly into any particular category - he just is who he is

Also I think that he is better known as an architect than an artist - and its not easy to find a lot of his work. But again it doesnt much matter

Anyway, glad you like his work! I must do more research on him myself

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[Sr. Kateri]

The wave and angle of these flowers is luscious. Love them as I do all your work!