Vienna Secession: Breaking away from tradition and seeking new artistic freedom

In late 19th century Vienna, some artists rebelled against the conservative art world. They formed the Vienna Secession, breaking away from traditional academicism and seeking new artistic freedom. Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Koloman Moser and other unique artists came together to produce innovative works in a variety of fields, including painting, architecture and design. In this article, we will explain the characteristics and historical background of the Vienna Secession, its representative artists and works, and its influence on the modern world. artgraph.jp sells posters that faithfully reproduce the masterpieces of the Vienna Secession masters in high-definition giclee prints. Why not decorate your room with the innovative art of the Vienna Secession?

What was the Vienna Secession? - Breaking away from academism

The Vienna Secession was a group of artists formed in Vienna, Austria in 1897. Its official name was the "Association of Austrian Plastic Artists," and with Gustav Klimt as its first president, it included artists from a variety of fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, and design. They rebelled against the conservative academicism that dominated the Viennese art world at the time, and worked for new artistic freedom. The name "Secession" refers to their separation from existing art organizations.

The main characteristics of the Vienna Secession are:

• Decorativeness: Vienna Secession works are characterized by their flamboyant and decorative expression. The decorative composition of the paintings, using gold leaf and arabesque patterns, as seen in Klimt's paintings, is one of the styles that symbolize the Vienna Secession.
• Symbolism: The artists of the Vienna Secession were influenced by symbolism and tried to express the spiritual and inner world beyond the visible real world. Klimt's "The Kiss" and Schiele's self-portrait are works with strong symbolic elements.
• Comprehensive art: The Vienna Secession aimed to create a comprehensive art that combined various fields, including not only painting and sculpture, but also architecture, furniture, and crafts. They viewed the entire living space as a work of art and tried to create a harmonious and beautiful environment. The Vienna Secession building is an architecture that embodies their idea of ​​comprehensive art.
• Internationalism: The Vienna Secession had an international outlook and interacted with new art movements in Europe. They were influenced by contemporary art movements such as Art Nouveau and Jugendstil, but they also developed their own unique style.

History of the Vienna Secession - A Challenge to the Conservative Art World

At the end of the 19th century in Vienna, artistic activity was dominated by a conservative art world centered around the Academy of Fine Arts. They placed emphasis on traditional subjects such as history paintings and portraits, and realistic techniques of expression, and were unwilling to accept new artistic expressions. Dissatisfied with this situation, young artists such as Gustav Klimt, Joseph Maria Olbrich, and Koloman Moser formed the Vienna Secession in 1897 and presented new art to the world by holding their own exhibitions.

The Vienna Secession built the Vienna Secession building, designed by Olbrich, in 1898. This building became a symbol of the Vienna Secession and was used as the venue for their exhibitions. The Vienna Secession held 23 exhibitions until Klimt's withdrawal in 1905, and had a major impact on the Vienna art world. Their activities inspired artists not only in Austria but also in other European countries, contributing to the development of new art movements.

Major artists and works of the Vienna Secession

The Vienna Secession included many outstanding artists, among which the most famous are Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Koloman Moser.

• Gustav Klimt: Founder and first president of the Vienna Secession. He painted female figures and allegorical paintings in his own style using gold leaf and decorative patterns. His representative works include "The Kiss" and "Judith I."
• Egon Schiele: Expressionist painter. He expressed human anxiety, loneliness, eroticism, etc. through distorted forms and sharp lines. His representative works include "Self-Portrait with Ground Cherry" and "Mother and Child."
• Koloman Moser: Graphic designer and craftsman. He was active in a wide range of fields, including posters, furniture, and architecture, and embodied the Vienna Secession's comprehensive artistic philosophy. His representative works include "Poster for the 13th Vienna Secession Exhibition" and "Silver Fruit Basket."

Modern-day influence of the Vienna Secession

The Vienna Secession had a major impact on art in the 20th century and beyond. Their decorativeness and symbolism influenced various art movements, such as Art Deco and Surrealism. The Vienna Secession's philosophy of integrated art is also inherited in modern architecture and design.

The Vienna Secession was a group of artists who sought to break away from traditional art and create new artistic freedom. Their works continue to fascinate many people today and are loved throughout the ages.

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