The literature on Art Nouveau is extensive but little mention has been made of the man who created the name, Siegfried Bing, a leading figure in fin de siecle decorative arts and a moving force in the style that swept through Western Europe and the United States. Weisberg, along with SITES, has produced a visually delightful, detailed tribute to this elusive but effective artist-entrepreneur. The catalog traces Bing's life, involvement in Japanese arts, the creation of the gallery "L'Art Nouveau" and the atelier that flourished under his supervision. It was a union of art and industry aimed at design reform with an international style and no distinction between major or minor, fine or applied arts. Useful for art libraries. Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum Lib.
