The time of the Belle Epoque

During the Belle Epoque period of settled and comortable life
proceding the 1st World War, a new style in art, architecture and design replaced the formal rigidity of the previous decades. Art Nouveau, as it was called, made generous use of ornament, especially of the organic forms found in nature. Great artists
of the Belle Epoque period include
the Belgian architect Henry van de Velde, the French artist Emile Gallé, known for his splendid works in
glass, and Hector Guimard, the designer of the famous entrances to
the underground stations in Paris. Painters of international importance
are Gustav Klimt, Alfons Maria
Mucha or Henri de Toulouse
Lautrec.