Vienna: Art & Design
‘The Park’, Gustav Klimt, 1910. I really enjoyed this image, with its endless wall of leaves.
Koloman Moser’s poster for the 13th Vienna Secession exhibitionA few weeks ago I finally got around to seeing the Winter Masterpieces exhibition on the Vienna Secession artists at the National Gallery of Victoria International.
On my friend’s advice I downloaded the audioguide from the website to my own iPod (thereby saving the $8 hire fee), and consequently enjoyed the exhibition much more. Usually these exhibitions are jammed with people, so I found listening to the audioguide created an oasis of calm, and it was much easier to ignore the chatter and concentrate on the exhibit. It was great to go alone in fact, and be able to walk around at my own pace and inclination.
…listening to the audioguide created an oasis of calm…
Tea and coffee set in silver and ivory, Josef Hoffmann, 1909
Sitzmaschine Chair, Josef Hoffmann, 1908I had already been forewarned that there wasn’t much of Klimt’s oeuvre on display. As discouraging as that was, it was expected, so I was disappointed that there were far fewer paintings in general – I’d hoped to see more of Egon Schiele’s work at least. Still, I learned a lot about Josef Hoffman and Adolf Loos that I never knew (and the audioguide was a big help in that regard), and it was great to see examples of graphic design, so the experience was very enjoyable.
As for the missing Klimts … well, I’ll just have to plan a visit to Vienna in the not-too-distant future, won’t I?
The exhibition is now closed. Scroll down for more images.
Fritza Riedler, Gustav Klimt, 1906. This image was very arresting in person, the colour glowing and the patterns mesmerising.
‘Wally in Red Blouse with Raised Knees’, Egon Schiele, 1913. Not actually a part of the exhibition, this painting showcases Schiele’s delicate linework, his colour palette that is both vivid and transparent – and the directness of his subject matter.