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Museum Admission is Free
Open Today / 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Detail photo of a color lithograph by Alphonse Mucha depicting a woman wearing a flower headdress and hanging on a vine. Detail photo of a color lithograph by Alphonse Mucha depicting a woman wearing a flower headdress and hanging on a vine. Detail photo of a color lithograph by Alphonse Mucha depicting a woman wearing a flower headdress and hanging on a vine.
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The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art

September 27, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Drawing inspiration from the elegance of nature, a new artistic movement emerged in Europe during the late-nineteenth century delivering a sinuous blend of beauty and functionality. When the Art Nouveau style arrived, interiors were transformed to include opulent ensembles of furniture, glass, posters, decorative arts, and other furnishings, all depicting luxurious elements found in nature.

The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art brings together approximately 120 of the finest Art Nouveau treasures, introducing the luminous innovations and artistic triumphs of this movement. Spanning the years 1890-1915, Art Nouveau made its impact in interiors across the globe.

  • Alphonse Mucha (Ivancice, Czech Republic, 1860 - 1939, Prague, Czech Republic), "Summer," 1896, Color lithograph, 44 3/4 in. x 25 1/4 in. x 1 1/8 in., Photograph by Edward Pollard, Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art, © Alphonse Mucha.
    Alphonse Mucha (Ivancice, Czech Republic, 1860 - 1939, Prague, Czech Republic), "Summer," 1896, Color lithograph, 44 3/4 in. x 25 1/4 in. x 1 1/8 in., Photograph by Edward Pollard, Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art, © Alphonse Mucha.

    Alphonse Mucha (Ivancice, Czech Republic, 1860 - 1939, Prague, Czech Republic), "Summer," 1896, Color lithograph, 44 3/4 in. x 25 1/4 in. x 1 1/8 in., Photograph by Edward Pollard, Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art, © Alphonse Mucha.

  • Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company (1892 - 1900), "Eighteen-Light Pond Lily Lamp," circa 1900, blown glass and bronze, 20 1/4 x 18 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.2391. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Tiffany Studios.
    Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company (1892 - 1900), "Eighteen-Light Pond Lily Lamp," circa 1900, blown glass and bronze, 20 1/4 x 18 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.2391. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Tiffany Studios.

    Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company (1892 - 1900), "Eighteen-Light Pond Lily Lamp," circa 1900, blown glass and bronze, 20 1/4 x 18 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 0.2391. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Tiffany Studios.

  • Pierre Chareau (Le Havre, France, 1883 - 1950, New York, New York), "Armchair," circa 1925, mahogany and mohair, 20 x 33 x 35 in., On loan from the Chysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 77.1032A. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.
    Pierre Chareau (Le Havre, France, 1883 - 1950, New York, New York), "Armchair," circa 1925, mahogany and mohair, 20 x 33 x 35 in., On loan from the Chysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 77.1032A. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.

    Pierre Chareau (Le Havre, France, 1883 - 1950, New York, New York), "Armchair," circa 1925, mahogany and mohair, 20 x 33 x 35 in., On loan from the Chysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 77.1032A. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.

  • Artist Unknown, "Necklace" (detail), circa 1909, silver, enamel, and freshwater pearls, 13 3.4 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 78.249. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.
    Artist Unknown, "Necklace" (detail), circa 1909, silver, enamel, and freshwater pearls, 13 3.4 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 78.249. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.

    Artist Unknown, "Necklace" (detail), circa 1909, silver, enamel, and freshwater pearls, 13 3.4 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 78.249. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art.

  • Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, "Waterlily Vase," 1900, blown and cameo-carved glass, 6 x1/4 x 7 3/8 x 3 7/8 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.6687. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard. © Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory.
    Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, "Waterlily Vase," 1900, blown and cameo-carved glass, 6 x1/4 x 7 3/8 x 3 7/8 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.6687. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard. © Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory.

    Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, "Waterlily Vase," 1900, blown and cameo-carved glass, 6 x1/4 x 7 3/8 x 3 7/8 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art: Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.6687. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard. © Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory.

  • Louis Majorelle (Toul, France, 1859 - 1926, Nancy, France), "Console Desserte," circa 1900, mixed woods, ormolu, and mother-of-pearl, 75 1/4 x 61 3/4 x 23 1/2 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 83.546. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Louis Majorelle Buffet.
    Louis Majorelle (Toul, France, 1859 - 1926, Nancy, France), "Console Desserte," circa 1900, mixed woods, ormolu, and mother-of-pearl, 75 1/4 x 61 3/4 x 23 1/2 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 83.546. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Louis Majorelle Buffet.

    Louis Majorelle (Toul, France, 1859 - 1926, Nancy, France), "Console Desserte," circa 1900, mixed woods, ormolu, and mother-of-pearl, 75 1/4 x 61 3/4 x 23 1/2 in., On loan from the Chrysler Museum of Art, Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 83.546. Image courtesy of the Chrysler Museum of Art. Photography by Edward Pollard, © Louis Majorelle Buffet.

Among these were furniture by Louis Majorelle and Georges de Feure, glass by Emilé Gallé, ceramics by the Zsolnay factory in Hungary, and prints by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, among others. Designing for a range of clients and settings, including domestic and commercial interiors, these artists fashioned their diverse works to complement each other in harmonious visual arrangements, conceiving of Art Nouveau as a holistic and immersive environment or “total work of art” (Gesamtkunstwerk).

The Triumph of Nature celebrates Art Nouveau’s innovative and artistic accomplishments, inviting visitors once more to marvel and revel in its lustrous, nature-inspired settings. Surrounded by more than twelve acres of lushly landscaped gardens and grounds, and housing a collection of world-class Impressionist paintings, AMFA is uniquely positioned to present this exhibition of works inspired by nature.

The Triumph of Nature celebrates the ornate beauty and designs of artists such as Tiffany, Majorelle, Feure, and Gallé – visionaries who dismissed any preceding styles and introduced the world to immersive interiors that celebrated nature’s abundance.

Programs & Events

  • Member Preview

    September 26, 2024 / 6:00–8:00 p.m.

    AMFA Members get a first look at the exhibition before it opens to the public.

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  • Creative Saturdays

    Dates Vary / 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    Stop by the Windgate Art School to enjoy a free make-and-take activity inspired by the art on view in this exhibition.

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  • Figure Drawing Workshop

    October 5, 2024 / 10:00 a.m.

    Working with a draped model, draw figures by capturing nature-themed designs and movements inherent in the Art Nouveau style.

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  • Art Nouveau Necklace Workshop

    October 12, 2024 / 1:00 p.m.

    Make your own necklace inspired by the sweeping lines and nature themes of Art Nouveau.

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  • The Triumph of Vermouth

    October 15, 2024 / 6:00 p.m.

    Travel back in time using your taste buds during this special vermouth-tasting experience.

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  • Making Together: Clay Vases

    October 19, 2024 / 1:30 p.m.

    Work with your little one to construct a clay flower vase inspired by the art on view in the exhibition.

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  • Movies at the Museum: Moulin Rouge (2001)

    October 20, 2024 / 2:30 p.m.

    Catch a screening of Baz Luhrmann's movie musical Moulin Rouge set in Paris during the era of Art Nouveau.

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  • Collector Conversation with Lloyd DeWitt

    November 20, 2024 / 5:30–7:00 p.m.

    Circle Society and Corporate Partners can enjoy cocktails and conversation with curator Lloyd DeWitt while hearing special insights on the exhibition.

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  • Art Talk: The Triumph of Nature

    November 21, 2024 / 6:00 p.m.

    Learn more about the Art Nouveau movement during a free lecture given by the exhibition's organizing curator.

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  • Art Nouveau Cuisine

    December 3, 2024 / 6:00 p.m.

    Step back into the enchanting era of Art Nouveau with a night of classic French food and wine at Park Grill.

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The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art is presented by Terri and Chuck Erwin.

The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art is organized by the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.