Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau spanned the period from the Victorian years of the mid 1800s through to the early 1900s when it was replaced with the crisp lines of the Art Deco era.  Art Nouveau was probably the most beautiful and romantic period for leadlight design.  In New Zealand, the best examples of Art Nouveau leadlights can be found in Dunedin and the surrounding Otago and Southland regions.  The reason for this was that Dunedin had experienced strong growth as a result of the gold rush years and had not only attracted wealthy merchants who had huge stately homes built throughout the region, but the best glass artists were also attracted by the ease of work available.  Several famous leadlight artists set up flourishing business in Dunedin and it is easy to view examples of their handiwork which remains in the original state all over the city.

A mixture of soft muted colours in golds, bronzes, browns and olive greens, which could also be described as 'muddy' or 'dirty' were used alongside clear vibrant reds, greens and blues of all shades.  Usually characterised by swirling lines set against a framework of squares and rectangles, lillies, roses and daisies would climb upwards from a border of exquisite waterglasses of the most delicate hues or very strong and bold colours.

The heavy patterns and glasses of original Art Nouveau designs were used to keep sunlight off the fair skin of the gentry and as a result this era was often unfairly associated with the dark and gloomy rooms of the time.  But stand in front of an art nouveau panel with full sunlight streaming through and your breath will be taken away by the sheer beauty and vibrancy of this period.

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