Author Description

"The literature on Art Nouveau is extensive but little mention has been made of the man who created the name, Siegfried Bing, a leading figure in fin de siecle decorative arts and a moving force in the style that swept through Western Europe and the United States. Weisberg, along with SITES, has produced a visually delightful, detailed tribute to this elusive but effective artist-entrepreneur. The catalog traces Bing's life, involvement in Japanese arts, the creation of the gallery "L'Art Nouveau" and the atelier that flourished under his supervision. It was a union of art and industry aimed at design reform with an international style and no distinction between major or minor, fine or applied arts. Useful for art libraries." -- Metropolitan Museum Library staff.