Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) symbolizes an era which enthrals and resonates even today – Modernism. As an artist, Klimt left an enormous mark on Vienna and, along with his contemporaries Josef Hoffmann, Otto Wagner, Joseph Maria Olbrich, Richard Gerstl, Egon Schiele, and Oscar Kokoschka, contributed immensely to the turn of the century era. To commemorate Klimt’s 150th birthday, Vienna is organizing events throughout 2012 under the title Gustav Klimt and the Birth of Modernism.
Besides Paris, Munich and London, Vienna was one of the birthplaces of Modernism at the turn of the 19th into the 20th century. This capital and residency of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy was one of the spiritual centres of Europe and the fifth largest city in the world, with over two million inhabitants in 1910. Performance arts, literature, music, architecture, and science were in full bloom and new and important events and findings were happening with remarkable frequency and swiftness. The artistic shift from Historicism to early Abstractionism is a unique feature of Klimt’s work. The exhibition features a broader presentation of Klimt’s most important milestones on his way to “integral artwork”.
Opening hours:
Every day: 11.00-19.00