Horta Museum

Art Nouveau emerged between 1890 and 1910 as one of Europe's most influential architectural and decorative movements. Architects of this period broke from historical precedents to develop a new visual language characterized by curved lines, plant motifs and richly ornamented facades. The movement took different names across countries: Modernisme in Catalonia, Jugendstil in German-speaking regions, Secession in Austria and Liberty in Italy. This diversity led to regional interpretations that incorporated local craft traditions and cultural characteristics. This collection includes buildings across Barcelona, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Brussels and other European cities. In Barcelona, works by Antoni Gaudí and his contemporaries shape entire streetscapes, including Casa Batlló with its undulating facade and the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista. Paris preserves the celebrated metro stations by Hector Guimard, while Budapest features the Gresham Palace, Museum of Applied Arts and Gellért Baths. Vienna presents characteristic examples of the Austrian variant with the Secession Building and Majolica House. The collection also includes less visited sites such as the Kőrössy Villa in Kecskemét, Horta Museum in Brussels and the railway station in Helsingør, Denmark.

Brussels presents historical buildings, museums and parks. The city combines the Royal Palace, Grand Place, Atomium and numerous art museums. Gothic cathedrals, Palace of Justice and urban planning ensembles shape the cityscape.

Between 1890 and 1910, Art Nouveau spread across Europe, producing buildings that combined craft traditions with industrial techniques through organic forms, natural motifs, and detailed ornamental work. Architects including Victor Horta in Brussels, Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, and Otto Wagner in Vienna designed structures that departed from historical revival styles, instead emphasizing curved lines, wrought iron elements, and colored glass. The movement encompassed concert halls and railway stations as well as private homes and commercial facades, creating a body of work that remains central to the architectural identity of several European cities. Visitors can trace this development through multiple locations. Brussels offers the Victor Horta Museum, Tassel House, and Hôtel van Eetvelde as prime examples of the Belgian variant. Barcelona showcases Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Bellesguard alongside the Palau de la Musica Catalana with its elaborate tilework. Paris preserves Hector Guimard's Métropolitain entrances and the Lavirotte Building, while Prague presents the Municipal House and the Bedřich Smetana Museum. Nancy serves as a center of French Art Nouveau with the School Museum and Villa Majorelle, and Budapest displays the style through Gresham Palace and the Liszt Academy of Music. From Riga to Turin, Vienna to Belgrade, these buildings document a brief but influential period when architects reshaped urban environments across the continent.

Brussels offers photographers a range of architectural subjects spanning several centuries. The medieval Grand-Place forms the historic center, while Art Nouveau buildings such as the Musée Horta and Maison Cauchie document the artistic flourishing around 1900. The Atomium, built for the 1958 World's Fair, represents postwar modernism and has become one of the city's most photographed landmarks. The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert ranks among Europe's oldest covered shopping arcades and displays the elegant construction techniques of the 19th century. The Mont des Arts connects different neighborhoods through a terraced garden with views over the old town. Parc du Cinquantenaire features neoclassical triumphal arches, while the Porte de Hal remains the last surviving medieval city gate. The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Koekelberg shows Art Deco influences in its monumental architecture. Quieter spots include the Étangs d'Ixelles, two ponds in the neighborhood of the same name, or the Forêt de Soignes, an extensive beech forest on the city's edge. Avenue Louise connects residential and commercial districts through various architectural styles. Smaller passages such as Galerie Bortier or Passage du Nord complement the major arcades. Rue des Bouchers is known for its restaurant facades, while Rue de la Cigogne features historic townhouses. Photographically interesting details include the Art Nouveau metro station Pannenhuis or the modernist Bâtiment CBR. The Château de Laeken serves as a royal residence and opens to visitors only during the annual opening of the Serres Royales. Le Botanique, a former botanical garden, now houses a cultural center. Place Royale and the adjacent Palais Royal form the political heart of the city. Smaller squares like Place Flagey offer local scenes away from the main routes.