Art Nouveau or Jugendstil (as it was known in German influenced countries) was a style in decorative arts which marked the turn of 20th century. It originated in France but quickly spread throughout Europe often merging with local artistic tendencies. It left a trail of iconic examples of design, from Paris metro stations and works of Victor Horta in Brussels to Helsinki main railway station and secessionist buildings in Budapest.

Latvian capital boasts one the most extensive assortment of pure Art Nouveau buildings in Europe. There are over 800 Art Nouveau buildings scattered all over Riga's historic center. The most striking examples can be found along Elizabetes Iela and Alberta. These include buildings by Mikhail Eisenstein the father of the famous director Sergei Eisenstein.