At the end of the 19th century, in different parts of Europe, a young and energetic generation of designers and artists set out to get rid of the historicism and eclecticism that had reigned in art for almost half a century, and create a new original style, a different art form that would correspond to modern times. These attempts were most successful in the field of architecture, interior decoration, applied arts, book design and poster art, and, of course, painting. The new direction in art was called modern. There were many artists, architects and designers who represented the Art Nouveau style in European and American art. Among the most famous are the Czech theater artist and illustrator Alphonse Mucha, the famous Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, and, perhaps, the most original Spanish architect, Antonio Gaudi.