Vienna Secession & Expressionism
1897–1920Vienna's revolt against academic tradition. Klimt's gold and ornament, Schiele's tortured line — two poles of the same rebellion.
Klimt: gold leaf, ornamental pattern, oil paint. Schiele: gouache and watercolor on paper, exposed body as battleground.
2 artists12 colors
Gustav Klimt
1862–1918Austrian
Master of golden decoration and erotic tension. The Kiss is the supreme symbol of Art Nouveau painting.
Mixed gold leaf with oil paint and tempera. Byzantine mosaics fused with Jugendstil ornament and frank sexuality.
Egon Schiele
1890–1918Austrian
Painter of raw, exposed bodies and tortured self-portraits. Died in the Spanish flu pandemic at 28.
Gouache and watercolor on paper — raw, unfinished edges. Contorted figures with exposed joints and veins.