Art Nouveau is a style of 19th and early 20th centuries.
A variety of formal artistic trends can be observed in the architecture of Art Nouveau (Perpendicular Art Nouveau and National Romanticis, Eclectically Decorative Art Nouveau, Rationalistic). The ornamental decoration does not determine the spirit of the style, in the same time these ornaments are often take forms that are typical only of Art Nouveau.

Art Nouveau appearance in Riga coincides with the city’s period of unprecedented prosperity and a sudden expansion of the population.  In the begining of 19th during several years more than 100 multi-story stone buildings were erected. By 1904 the eclectic characteristic of Riga’s late 19th century architecture completely disappeared. Around 35% of all buildings in the central district are in Art Nouveau style. This is considerably more than in any other city in the world.

Local architects were actively employed in Riga.  Approximately 140 buildings were built according to the designs of J. Alksnis, K.Pēkšēns authored approximately 250; O. Bārs and R. Donbergs accounted for 80; A.Vanags, 70; P. Mandelštams and E.Pole, 40; Almost all of the architects received their professional education at the Riga Polytechnic Institute.