Art Nouveau vs Prairie School
Prairie School is the cross-discipline counterpart of Art Nouveau — contemporaneous turn-of-century reform — organic, but geometric rather than curvilinear.
Art Nouveau
A short-lived but radical style of flowing, organic line — whiplash curves, plant and vine motifs, and ornament fused with structure.
- Sinuous 'whiplash' curves and asymmetry
- Plant, vine, and floral motifs
- Ornament integrated with structure, not applied on top
- Decorative ironwork and stained glass
- Curving, sculptural facades and openings
Prairie School
An indigenous American style led by Frank Lloyd Wright — long horizontal lines, sheltering roofs, and open plans that echo the flat Midwestern prairie.
- Strong horizontal lines echoing the prairie
- Low-pitched hipped roofs with deep overhanging eaves
- Bands of art-glass windows
- Open, flowing interior plans around a central hearth
- Natural materials and earth-toned palettes
At a glance
| Art Nouveau | Prairie School | |
|---|---|---|
| Era | 1890–1910 | 1900–1920s |
| Discipline | Architecture | Architecture |
| Region | France, Belgium, Spain, Austria | United States |
| Family | Art Nouveau | Organic, Modernism |
| Formal traits | organic, curvilinear, ornamental | horizontal, organic, clean-lined, indoor-outdoor |
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