The Vienna Secession was an art movement founded in 1897 by a group of Austrian artists who were seeking to break away from the traditional art institutions of the time. The movement was led by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, and Josef Hoffmann, who sought to create a new, modern style of art that incorporated elements of symbolism, Jugendstil (the German equivalent of Art Nouveau), and even some aspects of traditional craftsmanship. The Vienna Secessionists rejected academic art norms and embraced innovative and experimental techniques in their work.
The movement’s defining characteristic was its focus on a total work of art, or “Gesamtkunstwerk,” which aimed to create a unified aesthetic experience by incorporating various art forms such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts. The Secessionists were heavily influenced by international artistic movements such as French Symbolism and Art Nouveau, as well as Japanese art and design.
The Vienna Secession held its first exhibition in 1898 and continued to exhibit annually, showcasing the work of its members as well as international artists. The movement’s most famous project was the construction of the Secession Building in Vienna, a manifesto of modern architecture that still stands as a symbol of the movement. The Vienna Secession had a lasting impact on the development of modern art and design, influencing artists and designers around the world with its innovative and forward-thinking approach.