The Paris Exposition of 1900 was a culmination of a moment in time of great change, innovation and development. Occurring at the turn of the century, during the first months of the twentieth century, the World fair was brimming with change in social, political and artistic spheres. Art Nouveau had reached its peak of development in style as well as having its first international debut. Artists, innovators and millions of visitors from all around the globe flocked to take part in this momentous gathering and celebration of all things modern. This Exposition was the seventh of its kind and attracted nearly fifty-million visitors with collections of art and innovation from all over the world and is the largest Exposition to date, reinforcing the importance of the development as the world moved into the twentieth century as well as situating Paris as a cultural hub and the famed City of lights for decades to come. Out of the many countries that were invited, forty attended and hosted exhibitions of their innovative accomplishments. This assembly of forward thinking and unique art and invention fostered an environment full of wonder, awe and inspiration.

The Art Nouveau movement was a crucial part of the Paris Exposition, this new and whimsical style encapsulating the feeling and aesthetic of this particular event and moment in time. The Art Nouveau style was integrated into the designs of buildings part of the exposition, such as the Grand and Petit Palais which were crucial to the event. The sweeping arches and artistic yet strongly defined outlines characterize this style, integrating nature into design, bringing a new sense of Romantic movement into the developing artistic world. Though not the single and defining style of the Exposition, Art Nouveau managed to make a strong and lasting mark on this particular moment in time and especially within this event. The much more dominant French art style of the Beaux-Arts was very present in Paris at this point in time as this decorative and opulent style was taught at the schools of fine art in France. Regardless, Art Nouveau comes to define this Exposition as well as the early years of the twentieth century with lasting impacts on modern art styles and architectural design.