The Art Nouveau movement was a rebellion to the new architecture which put efficiency before beauty and 'humanity' of scale and style.

It basically attempted to recapture through detailing and organic elements, the ability of architecture and accessories to touch the individual with it's beauty.

To make furniture, lights, buildings that looked like they might have at one time been alive, with organic qualities. 

For a time this style presented an alternative to the stark, box-like creations we see so much of and enabled people to take a look at a philosophy that included beauty, scale and proportions as an essential aspect of all things created (like the Greeks). 

A celebration of the esthetic synthesis of function and nature.

The striking qualities of the Art Nouveau creations, the flowing lines, organic shapes, pleasing colors, nature symbols, hand made attention to detailing, suggested the best aspects of the Rococo era, together with the nature theme.

To this day the art nouveau creations to some, are the definition of beautiful, functional things in keeping with the best of mans nature.