Vienna Secession
Austrian art movement formed in 1897 opposing traditional Historicism.
In 1897, a collective of Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and architects broke away from the conservative Association of Austrian Artists (the Vienna Künstlerhaus) to form the Vienna Secession (also called the Union of Austrian Artists). Closely tied to Art Nouveau, the group included figures such as Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner, and Gustav Klimt. Their most iconic architectural achievement is the Secession exhibitions hall, designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich to host the group’s shows. The movement’s official magazine, *Ver Sacrum* (meaning “Sacred Spring”), featured highly stylized and influential graphic works. Internal tensions led to a split in 1905, when key members—including Klimt, Wagner, and Hoffmann—resigned over disagreements about priorities. Despite this, the Secession continued to operate and still functions today from its headquarters in the Secession Building, where the gallery is independently led and managed by artists.
- founded
- 3 April 1897
- field
- Art movement (painting, graphic arts, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts)
- nationality
- Austrian
- known_for
- Secession Building, Ver Sacrum magazine, Beethoven Frieze, Wiener Werkstätte
- founders
- Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann, Joseph Maria Olbrich, Max Kurzweil, Wilhelm Bernatzik, Edmund von Hellmer, and others
Quick Facts
- Yearsactive
- c. 1897–1914
- Location
- Austria
- Influences
- Art Nouveau
- Majorfigures
- Gustav Klimt, Joseph Maria Olbrich, Josef Hoffmann, Otto Wagner
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Vienna Secession was founded on 3 April 1897 by artist Gustav Klimt, designer Koloman Moser, architects Josef Hoffmann and Joseph Maria Olbrich, Max Kurzweil, Wilhelm Bernatzik, sculptor Edmund von Hellmer and others. Architect Otto Wagner joined shortly after. The goals included establishing contact with artists outside Austria, disputing artistic nationalism, renewing decorative arts, creating a Gesamtkunstwerk (total art), and opposing the domination of the official Vienna Academy of the Arts and the Vienna Künstlerhaus. The movement took its name from the Munich Secession movement founded in 1892. The literary critic Hermann Bahr wrote in the first issue of the group's journal Ver Sacrum: 'Our art is not a combat of modern artists against those of the past, but the promotion of the arts against the peddlers who pose as artists...'
Reader's Guide
The Vienna Secession played a significant role in introducing international artists and movements to Vienna, including French Impressionists, through its exhibition hall designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich. The 14th Secession exhibition in 1902, dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven, featured Max Klinger's statue and Klimt's Beethoven Frieze. A split occurred in 1905 when some members, including Klimt, Wagner, and Hoffmann, resigned over a dispute about priorities between fine arts and decorative arts. The Secession continued to function after their departure, and after World War II, Hoffmann rejoined and served as President from 1948 to 1950. The Secession still functions today, holding regular exhibitions in the Secession Building.
Did You Know?
- The Vienna Secession's official magazine was called Ver Sacrum, meaning 'Sacred Spring'.
- The Secession Building was the first dedicated gallery of contemporary art in Vienna.
- In 1905, Klimt, Hoffmann, Moser, and others resigned from the Secession after losing a vote by a single vote.
- Under the Nazi regime, the Secession building was not destroyed; it was used by the Nazis and survived largely intact.
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