Art Nouveau and the Social Vision of Modern Living considers the roles of primitivism and nationalism in Belgian Art Nouveau architecture and design. Best known for the urban projects and structural innovations, Belgian designers adapted the vernacular and rustic decorative arts and crafts, and particularly the country cottage, as models for modern living. This study contextualizes the architecture and decorative arts produced in Belgium between 1880 and 1910 within contemporary discussions on solutions to housing and living in the modern era.
