Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession

Gustav Klimt passion for the feminine form is very much apparent in his

artistic works. The eroticism in his paintings has brought a variety of reaction

from disparate groups of critics in his lifetime and posthumously. “The most

important element of his fame is his reputation as a master of eroticism", one

author wrote.1 One other thing that is associated with Klimt is the Wiener

Sezession (Vienna Secession} which he co-founded in 1987. It was indicated

that this action was a revolt against academic art in favor of a decorative

style similar to Art Nouveau.2

The Secession as the name indicated was a separation from the conservative

Künstlerhauswhich was the only Viennese venue for contemporary art. Its

purpose was to inject fresh perspectives to Austrian art with exchanges from

foreign artists as well as sponsor exhibitions for unconventional artists.3 The

Secession also promoted an integration of the fine and applied arts which

also resulted to the Weiner Werkstätte in 1908 which is a cooperative

enterprise for crafts and design.4 The Secession did not encourage any

particular style. Realists, naturalists, and symbolists composed this group.

This diversity contributed in the Secession’s subsequent disintegration. The

Naturalists Traditionalists distanced themselves from Klimt’s clique which was

referred to as the Stylists. While they did not object to the applied arts per se,

they drew the line at the full merger of craft and art advocated by the

Stylists. Furthermore, the Naturalists resented the broadened economic base

which the Wiener Werkstätte afforded their rivals.5

Klimt’s separation from The Secession left him with no other membership in a

major association except with the Wiener Werkstätte. Of critics of his art and

his decision, Klimt has this to say, "If you cannot please everyone with your

deeds and your art, please a few. To please many is bad."6

This may perhaps be his philosophy in life but his contemporary times and

the posthumous adulations may beg to differ. In 2006, the 1907 portrait,

Adele Bloch-Bauer I, was purchased for the Neue Galerie in New York by

Ronald Lauder for a reported US $135 million, surpassing Picasso's 1905 Boy

With a Pipe (sold May 5, 2004 for $104 million), as the highest reported price

ever paid for a painting.7. The Vienna Secession did brought to the fore some

famous artists other than Klimt. This may be part of his legacy which

included so many and so priceless.

11 Fleidel, Gottfried: Gustav Klimt 1862-1918 The World in Female Form, ( Benedikt Taschen,
1994), 14

2Klimt, Gustav.Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from Encyclopædia

Britannica 2006 CD

3Whitford, Frank: Klimt, (Thames and Hudson, 1990), 69.

4Wiener Werkstatte.Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from Encyclopædia

Britannica 2006 CD

5Kallir, Jane: Gustav Klimt at Gallerie St. Etienne http://www.gseart.com/artists/asp/html.

(Accessed January 28, 2009)

6Whitford, Frank: Klimt, Thames and Hudson, 1990, p.52.

7Christopher Michaud, Christie's stages record art sale, Reuter's, November 9, 2006. Accessed
January28, 2009.