Secession Building
| Secession building | |
|---|---|
Wiener Secessionsgebäude | |
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Exhibition pavilion |
| Architectural style | Art Nouveau |
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| Coordinates | 48°12′1.86″N 16°21′56.43″E / 48.2005167°N 16.3656750°E |
| Construction started | 1897 |
| Completed | 1898 |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 40 m × 30 m (131 ft × 98 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Maria Olbrich |
| Other designers | Koloman Moser, Gustav Klimt |
The Secession building (German: Wiener Secessionsgebäude) is an exhibition hall built in 1897 by Joseph Maria Olbrich as an architectural manifesto for the Vienna Secession, located in Vienna, Austria.[1] Secession refers to the seceding of a group of rebel artists from the long-established fine art institution.
Description
The building features the Beethoven Frieze by Gustav Klimt,[2] one of the most widely recognized artworks of Secession style (a branch of Art Nouveau, also known as Jugendstil). The building was financed by Karl Wittgenstein,[3] the father of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
The motto of the Secessionist movement is written above the entrance of the pavilion: "To every age its art, to art its freedom" (German: Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit). Below this is a sculpture of three gorgons representing painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Trivia
The building was selected as the main motif of one of the Austrian gold collectors' coins: the 100 euro Secession commemorative coin, minted in 10 November 2004. On the obverse side there is a view of the hall.
The building also appears (from a different perspective) on the regular €0.50 Austrian coin.
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Jugendstil owls - Detail of the facade of the Viennese Secession Building. These designs for building’s facade decoration are attributed to Koloman Moser. -
The Beethoven Frieze, created by Gustav Klimt, is housed in the lower floor. -
Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture -
References
- ^ Secession hall official web site: The Building
- ^ Secession hall official web site: The Beethoven Frieze
- ^ Monk, Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius: p.8
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