Ruqayyah Snyder
The Vienna Secession, founded in 1897, is the most famous of the Secession art movements. It was formed in reaction to the conservative Association of Austrian Artists and its support for traditional artistic styles. The Vienna Secession was led by Gustav Klimt, who favoured the ornate Art Nouveau style over the prevailing styles of the time. The movement sought to blur the boundaries between fine and applied arts, advocating for the total work of art that would encompass all aspects of visual culture. This holistic approach to art-making was revolutionary at the time and had a profound and lasting influence on the development of modern art and design in Austria and beyond. The Secessionists were influenced by various artistic styles and movements, including Japanese art and design, Art Nouveau, and the Arts and Crafts movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding | 1897 |
| Founders | Gustav Klimt, Josef Hoffman, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner |
| Reason for Founding | To break away from the traditional artistic styles of the Association of Austrian Artists |
| Style | Art Nouveau, curvilinear geometric shapes and patterns, symmetry, repetition, natural forms, floral and geometric motifs, rich yet selective color palette |
| Other Influences | Japanese art and design, British Arts & Crafts Movement, Mackintosh, Jugendstil, French Impressionism |
| Impact | Prolific influence on Austrian art for generations to come, paving the way for Expressionism and Art Deco in Austria |
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What You'll Learn
The Vienna Secession's founding principles
The Vienna Secession, also known as the Union of Austrian Artists, was founded in 1897 by a group of Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and architects. The group included notable artists such as Gustav Klimt, Josef Hoffman, Koloman Moser, and Otto Wagner. The founding principles of the Vienna Secession can be summarised as follows:
- Rejection of Traditional Constraints and Embrace of Artistic Innovation: The Vienna Secessionists sought to break free from the conservative artistic traditions and academic styles that dominated the Austrian art scene at the time. They advocated for artistic freedom and the exploration of new forms and ideas, blending different artistic genres and fields.
- Integration of Art with Life: The Secessionists believed in bringing art closer to life and making it a seamless part of everyday existence. They embraced the concept of "Gesamtkunstwerk", which translates to "total work of art", aiming to integrate art into various aspects of visual culture, including architecture, furniture, and everyday objects.
- Holistic Approach to Art-Making: The movement promoted a holistic approach to art by blurring the boundaries between fine arts and applied arts. They challenged the hierarchy that privileged painting and traditional fine arts over decorative and applied arts, arguing for equal treatment and synthesis of different art forms.
- Emphasis on Contemporary and Global Art: The Secessionists sought to promote contemporary art from Austria and around the world. Their official journal, "Ver Sacrum", played a crucial role in introducing the Austrian public to modern artistic movements, both domestic and international. They frequently hosted exhibitions featuring artists from abroad, fostering a global perspective in the Austrian art scene.
- Architectural Innovation: The Secessionists made significant contributions to architecture, with the Secession Building in Vienna serving as their iconic exhibition space. Designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich, the building incorporated Art Nouveau elements, geometric designs, and symmetry, reflecting the group's aesthetic principles and their desire to integrate art and architecture.
- Influence of Japanese Art and Design: The Vienna Secessionists were fascinated by Japanese art and design, which aligned with their ideals of "Gesamtkunstwerk". They were influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, textiles, and the restrained use of decoration, as well as the preference for natural materials. This influence was evident in the flattened planes, linear outlines, and strong colours seen in their artwork.
- Development of "Secession-stil": While influenced by Art Nouveau and Jugendstil, the Vienna Secession developed its own unique style known as "Secession-stil" or "Sezessionstil". This style was characterised by symmetry, repetition, geometric shapes, and motifs such as grids and checkerboards. It marked a transition towards modernism and a departure from purely natural forms.
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The Union of Austrian Artists
The most influential architectural work of the Union of Austrian Artists was the Secession exhibitions hall, designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich as a venue for the group's expositions. The building featured Art Nouveau ornaments on its facade, designed by Olbrich's student, Alois Ludwig. Another notable building associated with the group is the Austrian Postal Savings Bank, designed by Otto Wagner, which incorporated modern materials such as aluminium and straight lines and geometric forms.
In 1905, the Union of Austrian Artists experienced an internal split, with some members, including Klimt, Wagner, and Hoffmann, resigning due to a dispute over priorities. Despite this, the group continued to function, and even today, it still has an impact on Austrian art.
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The influence of Japanese design
The Vienna Secession, also known as the Union of Austrian Artists, was an art movement formed in 1897 by Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and architects. The movement was influenced by various artistic styles and movements, including Japanese design and art.
The Vienna International Exposition of 1873 featured a Japanese display that included a Shinto shrine, a Japanese garden, and hundreds of art objects. This exposure to Japanese art and design inspired the Secessionists to incorporate similar elements into their work. Klimt, in particular, began to incorporate textile patterns into his work, influenced by both Japanese textiles and Byzantine Mosaics he studied in Ravenna, Italy, in 1903. The Secession exhibit of 1903 was devoted to Japanese art, further demonstrating the influence of Japanese design on the movement.
The Secessionists' fascination with Japanese art and design can also be seen in their interest in the concept of 'Gesamtkunstwerk', where design is seamlessly incorporated into everyday life. This idea of integrating art into daily life was a key aspect of the Vienna Secession movement, and Japanese design provided a source of inspiration for achieving this goal. The influence of Japanese woodblock prints, with their emphasis on flat visual planes and linear outlines, helped to form a bridge between fine and graphic arts for the Secessionists.
In conclusion, the influence of Japanese design on the Vienna Secession movement was significant. The Secessionists drew inspiration from Japanese art and design principles, incorporating them into their work and helping to shape the unique style of the movement. The interplay between Japanese design aesthetics and the Secessionists' desire to synthesise contemporary art with old and new influences resulted in a distinct and influential artistic movement in Austria and beyond.
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The Secession's magazine, Ver Sacrum
The Secession magazine, Ver Sacrum, meaning "Sacred Spring" in Latin, was the official magazine of the Vienna Secession. Founded by Gustav Klimt and Max Kurzweil, it was published from 1898 to 1903. Ver Sacrum showcased drawings and designs in the Secession style, along with literary contributions from distinguished writers across Europe. The first issue was released in January 1898, with its arrival announced in leading newspapers as a subscription journal. For the first two years, the journal was published monthly, with each issue devoted to the work of a particular artist who was also in charge of designing the issue's cover.
The name Ver Sacrum was a classical reference to the secession of youths from the elders of the city to found a new society. This idea of youth as a symbol of rebellion and innovation was at the heart of the Jugendstil movement and the Lebensreform movement (life reform) that accompanied it. The metaphor was appropriate – the Secessionists had freed themselves from the confines of the Kunstlerhaus (Vienna's conservative exhibiting body) and brought their modernist and utopian message to the public. In the first issue, they wrote: "Our aim is to awaken, encourage and propagate the artistic perception of our time…. we know no difference between ‘great art’ and ‘intimate art’, between art for the rich and art for the poor. We have dedicated ourselves with our whole power and future hopes, with everything that we are to the Sacred Springtime".
The most important illustrator and designer for the Ver Sacrum publications was Koloman Moser, who created over 200 graphic designs. His illustration to accompany Rainer Maria Rilke's poem, "Early Spring," for instance, illustrates moves towards a radically new geometric design. In addition to pure artistic enjoyment, Ver Sacrum also provided a lot of topical information. The journal reported on current Secession exhibitions and published photographs of the exhibition halls themselves.
The magazine's principal designer, Koloman Moser, approached the layout with great creativity, constantly altering it while creating a beautiful harmony of text and illustration. When Olbrich's Secession House began to hold exhibits, this same modular approach to picture arrangement was adopted by Olbrich and Josef Hoffmann through the unique use of moving partitions and walls within the structure. In both its harmony of text and image and in its inclusion of multiple art forms, Ver Sacrum was a manifestation of composer Richard Wagner's ideas of 'Gesamtkunstwerk'.
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The Secession's impact on Austrian art
The Vienna Secession, founded in 1897, is the most famous secession group. It was formed in reaction to the Association of Austrian Artists and their support for traditional artistic styles. The Vienna Secession was led by Gustav Klimt, who favoured the ornate Art Nouveau style over the prevailing styles of the time. The movement was also inspired by the Munich Secession (1892) and the Berlin Secession (1898).
The Vienna Secession had a profound impact on Austrian art, both during its active years and beyond. It advocated for artistic freedom, the integration of art with life, and the pursuit of a total work of art. This holistic approach to art-making was revolutionary and encouraged future artists to explore new forms and ideas. The Secessionists sought to blur the boundaries between fine and applied arts, challenging the status quo and advocating for art that reflected modern experiences. This had a lasting influence on design and architecture, with a focus on clarity, simplicity, and the integration of art into everyday objects.
The Vienna Secession also played a crucial role in the development of modernist principles in Austrian art. It marked the formal beginning of modern art in Austria, which was previously known for its attachment to highly conservative traditions. The movement's emphasis on innovation and progress inspired subsequent generations of artists and paved the way for the emergence of Expressionism in Austria. Artists such as Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele were influenced by the Vienna Secession's spirit of rebellion and break from academic traditions.
The Vienna Secession's impact can also be seen in the transition to Art Deco in Austria, with its decorative elegance and emphasis on geometric shapes. Founding member Josef Hoffmann played a key role in this transition, showcasing a refinement of Secessionist principles and blending functionality with aesthetic beauty.
In addition to its influence on artistic styles, the Vienna Secession also had a significant impact on the exhibition and collaboration of art. The Secessionists' frequent exhibitions invited artists from abroad, creating a dedicated venue for contemporary art in Vienna. The iconic Secession Building served as their exhibition space, leaving a legacy of innovation and freedom that resonated deeply within Austrian culture.
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Frequently asked questions
The Vienna Secession, founded in 1897, is a group of Austrian artists who broke away from the Association of Austrian Artists due to their conservative artistic styles and commercial motivations. The Secessionists were committed to a forward-thinking, internationalist view of the art world, embracing innovation and artistic freedom.
The Austrian Secession was influenced by various art movements and styles, including Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, and the Arts and Crafts movement. They were also inspired by Japanese art and design, particularly Japanese woodblock prints, which emphasised flat visual planes, strong colours, patterned surfaces, and linear outlines.
The Austrian Secession was led by Gustav Klimt, who favoured the ornate Art Nouveau style. Other key figures included Josef Hoffman, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner, Egon Schiele, and Alphonse Mucha.
