Around 1900, Germany was the main centre for the production of Art Nouveau tiles in Europe. Hallways were regarded as status symbols, and the entranceway became like a calling card. Today, few people are aware that many original tiled walls from that period have been preserved in Berlin.

Art Nouveau Squared presents 120 fascinating tiles, explains their motifs, and sets them in the context of Art Nouveau ornamentation. The plant theme is particularly widespread: abstract or naturalistic depictions of flowers and trees unfold their full beauty in the square format. This book is the first to document historical Berlin tile paintings, most of which are not listed and therefore at risk.

Look inside

• First publication about Art Nouveau tiles in Berlin
• Bilingual descriptions of the widespread plant and tree symbolism in art nouveau
• With works by Henry van de Velde, Anna Gasteiger