The Art of Modernism

By the end of the 19th century, European culture had, for the first time since the Renaissance, gathered the strength for an artistic ascent. The exquisite episode of European history known as the Belle Époque became the pinnacle of the flourishing of arts and crafts. The works of artists, architects, designers, poets, and musicians from this brief period still serve as examples of refined artistic taste. In Russia, this time became the Silver Age of Russian culture, while for Western Europe it was truly the Golden Age. Art Nouveau, Tiffany, modern style, Jugendstil — these are the names given to the period from the late 19th to early 20th centuries in different countries. Sophisticated aesthetics, refined chic, elegant sensuality, and sinuous smoothness of lines — this is what the modern style represents, encompassing all aspects of human life: from architecture to secondary household items. The masters of the new style managed to transform ordinary furnishings into unique works of art, and since then, artworks have become an essential element of everyday life.