Identified by his use of long sinuous lines derived from
naturalistic forms, Van de Velde was a revolutionary artist who played a
crucial role in the beginning a new era in design. As an Art Nouveau artist
from Belgium, Van de Velde’s move to Germany in 1906 was
what sparked his interest in a more structural approach to art. He claimed his art to incorporate both
decoration and applied art from the past. Van de Velde’s influences are regarded
as a precursor to the Bauhaus movement.
Some of his major works include Angel’s
Wake, interior of the Folkwang Museum, and University Library in Belgium. One
of his most famous pieces is his Tropon poster from 1897. This was the first poster classified as
completely abstract. You can learn more about
this piece on the comparison page.