Art Nouveau

I have never heard of Art Nouveau until I read this article. I had seen images and objects that fit the definition of Art Nouveau but I never knew the proper terms and language of the movement. I chose Aubrey Beardsley was an Englishman who was known as Art Nouveau's most controversial figure. The work that he did for Salmoé, a play by Oscar Wilde, put forth ideals for the movement. He uses shadow, flat patterns, stark contrast, and swooping lines. In most of his works he depicts nudity and eroticism.