"Maison Horta, Interior" Maison Horta & Art Nouveau Tip by von.otter

“I’d choose the plant’s stem.”
— Victor Horta (1861-1947), from his memoirs

Art Nouveau took its inspiration from nature. Flowers and plants were key to the style’s look. For Horta, however, the flower was too baroque; therefore he picked the stem to use as a starting point for his designs.

The Maison et Atelier Horta was built to fulfill the designer’s professional and family needs. Built between 1898 and 1901 on two lots in the St-Gilles section of Bruxelles. Following Horta’s divorce, first, he leased out the building for a period of time, but then resumed living there, making changes to the interior. These alterations included a terrace and a winter garden (see photo #5) and the atelier was enlarged.

The most spectacular element in the house is the stunning stained glass skylight (see photos #1 & #2) over the central marble staircase (see photo #4), developed in September 1899. Drawings for the railings (see photo #3) were completed in February of 1900. The placement of this staircase in the center of house, with the living space built around it, was quite radical and innovative at the time.

Address: Rue Américaine, 23-25
Directions: Tram 91 or 92 to Ma Campagne
Website: http://www.hortamuseum.be