Wilhelm Schmidt was born in 1880 in Bohemia, Czech Republic, and became an important Austrian furniture designer and architect.
He rose to become a leading designer for Prag-Rudniker. Schmidt was a student of the influential architect and designer Josef Hoffmann.
Along with other avant-garde designers of the era, Schmidt began incorporating traditional materials like rattan and wicker into his furniture designs. In 1905, he took over as chief designer at Prag-Rudniker.
Schmidt's designs for Prag-Rudniker are characterized by their integration of wood and basketry, often reflecting the geometric and modern aesthetic of the Vienna Secession and Arts & Crafts movements.
His influence extended beyond Prag-Rudniker; Schmidt was also an Austrian member of the German Werkbund starting in 1908 and a co-founder of the Austrian Werkbund in 1914, demonstrating his broader impact on the design world of his time.
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Style Art Nouveau
The name "Art Nouveau" in French means "new art." It is also known as “Jugendstil” in Germany. In contrast, in Vienna and Italy it is called "Liberty".
It employs curvilinear designs with sinuous, asymmetrical lines, often based on plant forms, as well as stylized female silhouettes.
The style was used in architecture, interior design, glassware, jewelry, sculpture, painting, furniture, posters, and illustration.
New materials were introduced, such as opals and semi-precious stones.
The Art Nouveau style had its greatest momentum at the Universal Exposition of 1900 in Paris.
After that, it spread throughout Europe, the United States, and Australia.
In Paris, you can see the metro entrances, and in Belgium, its countless buildings.
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