During the late 1800s, many European artists, graphic designers,
and architects rebelled against formal, classical approaches to
design. They believed that the greatest beauty could be found in
nature. Organic (living creatures and plants) were used to
decorate the outsides of buildings. You'll find the "cows" under
the center balcony. The "woman" is over the front door. Art
Nouveau (French for "New Style") flourished in major European
cities between 1890 and 1914. In the United States, Art Nouveau
ideas were expressed in the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Louis
Sullivan, and Frank Lloyd Wright. In the later half of the
twentieth century, Modernist architects took the concept of
organic architecture to new heights. By using new forms of
concrete and cantilever trusses, architects could create
swooping arches without visible beams or pillars.