the art nouveau of the Paris Métro

And a new book on the Paris Métro. This looks at the art nouveau decorations to be found on and around its buildings and installations, and as the development of the Paris Métro in the 1900s coincided with the full flourish of the Art Nouveau era - which emphasized the flowering shapes and forms of nature - it is no surprise that there are plenty.

We've mentioned Hector Guimard, the "architect of art" in earlier posts.  This book with colour throughout, takes a very methodical approach to documenting the various examples, and how they were designed and made.  Like publisher La Vie du Rail's books generally, it is well designed.  230 pages in 270 x 220 mm format, soft covered with flaps.