1895-1900

Art in Vienna around 1900 (1895-1900)

Art around the turn of the century was highly valued in Austria. The normal citicentship could only rank itself alongside the aristocracy with art. At this time Hans Markert was one of the most famous painters, he was even supportet by the Austrian imperial familiy. The "Kaffehauskultur", coffee houses where the educated sat together and discussed important topics, was flourishing and more important than ever. Several avantgardistic art association were founded amongst them the "Hagenbund" (1876) and short after that the "Siebener Club" in the coffe house Sperl. In the coffe house "Griensteidl", the organisation "Aufbruch" was founded as well as the "Wiener Sexession" and the "Wiener Werkstatte" (1903). The Secession measured 50 founding members und the board member Gustav Klimt. It was founded to stand as the opposite of the setting the tone art association of the "Wiener Künstlerhaus". In march 1897 the Viennese city council had to process the application of this new exhibition building and in the same year the name "Ver Sacrum" (holy spring) was elected for the organisation's magazin.

The "Secession"

In 1898 the exhibtion building designed by Joseph Olbrich was officially opened. In the same year many art critics were reassigned at Austrias biggest newspapers: Berta Zuckerkandl went to the "Wiener Allgemeine Zeitung", Hermann Bahr came to "Neuen Wiener Tagblatt" and the "Österreichsiche Volkszeitung", Ludwig Hevesi served for the "Fremdenblatt" and Franz Servaes found his Place at the "Neue Freie Presse". Before, art critics represented the general oppinion of the citizentship and manufactured catalogs for certain exhibitions. Now art critcs are on the side of the artists und try to learn from them. They performed as teachers, their work was it to raise the amateur to art lovers. These events paved the way for the success of former days modern art. On the 12th November 1898 the first exhibition took place in the new built Secession building. Not only the positiv critique were descisive for the great success of the Secession, but also the exhibition room was legendary. Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann and Joseph Olbrich did set new standards in the planning of exhibitions.