Art nouveau

Art nouveau was a reform movement which affected all walks of life. It was typical during this period that the well-known artists felt obliged to ensure the thoughts of the work of art as a whole. The art nouveau exhibition follows this train of thought – in harmony with interior design, paintings, plastics and arts and crafts.

Following this concept, carpets were laid in the exhibition rooms according to designs by Peter Behrens, Josef Hoffmann and Henry van de Velde during the 1990s. The exhibited objects of use from tablecloths to crockery, glasses and cutlery up to industrial products let us recognise the high artistic requirements, encompassing all areas of life.

The rose decor by Hans Christiansen from Flensburg, for example, adorned rugs, wallpaper and curtains, windows and furniture, china and glass. He was renowned in Paris as one of the most sought-after designers for attractive commercial art. In addition to various glasses, an entire bedroom designed by him is exhibited.

Besides, you can see furniture from Peter Behrens, Richard Riemerschmidt, Henry van de Velde and Wenzel Hablik. In 1907, Hablik met the wood wholesaler Richard Biel from Itzehohe, who provided him with the opportunity to act freely with his art. In the same year, Hablik also met his wife, the weaver Elisabeth Lindemann. Without denying his art nouveau roots, Hablik developed characteristic works demonstrating individual expressionism.

The probably most significant contribution to international art nouveau was made by Schleswig-Holstein with the Scherrebek Art Weaving School, which produced woven rugs according to designs by famous painters.

Paintings by the Skagen painters such as Anna and Michael Anker or Vilhelm Hammershøi formed one of the focal points.