Images of Fin-de-siecle

This is a photographic book on the architecture and interior decoration of the movement in modern architecture known in France as Art Nouveau, in Germany as Jugenstil, in Austria as Sezessionstil, in Spain as Modernismo and in Italy as Stile Liberty. It reveals the work of Catalonian architect, Antonio Gaudi with his fierce extravagance, asymmetry and plasticity and in contrast the rational and expressive forms of Scotsman Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Also included is the work of Horta, Lavirotte, Loos, Olbrich, Sommanuga and others. In fin-de-siecle design there is a relish for the bizarre and the imaginative that is equalled by a persistent recourse to a system of rectangular co-ordinates that announces the style of the 20th century. The author/photographer is a multiple award winning photographer who was recipient of the Grand Prix for young photographers at the Arles International Photo Festival in 1977.