Austria Symbolism
Alfred Kubin was an outstanding Austrian engraver, illustrator and writer, and a prominent representative of the Symbolic and Expressionist trends in the visual arts in the first half of the 20th century. Alfred Kubin's works are full of phantasmagoric and grotesque depictions of dreams, motifs of desolation and fear.
Georg Janny was an Austrian landscape painter and set designer.
He worked as a scene painter in the studios of Carlo Brioschi and Johann Kautsky, alongside Alfons Mucha, and was a member of the Dürerbund.
He also painted landscapes and figures, including scenes from fairy-tales or imaginary worlds that are reminiscent of the works of Arnold Böcklin or Gustave Doré.
Gustav Klimt, an Austrian Symbolist painter, was a central figure in Vienna's Secession movement, known for his paintings, murals, sketches, and objets d'art. Born on July 14, 1862, in Baumgarten near Vienna, Klimt's early life was marked by financial hardship, but he showed artistic talent at a young age. He studied at Vienna's Kunstgewerbeschule, where he received a conservative education in architectural painting that influenced his early traditional works.
Klimt's path as an artist was evolutionary and controversial. Initially a successful painter of architectural decorations, his style evolved into a more personal and controversial form, especially after public criticism of his works for the Great Hall of the University of Vienna in 1900, which were deemed pornographic. This turning point led him to abandon public commissions and begin the so-called "golden period," characterized by the use of gold leaf in his work. Some of his most famous paintings, such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which demonstrate a combination of Byzantine influence and modern symbolism, belong to this phase.
An important aspect of Klimt's career was his participation in the Vienna Secession, an art movement he co-founded in 1897. This movement, which had no manifesto, aimed to showcase unconventional artists and to bring foreign artistic influences to Vienna. Klimt was its first president and participated in the creation of the periodical Ver Sacrum.
Despite his artistic fame, Klimt led a relatively withdrawn lifestyle, often working alone and maintaining discreet personal relationships. Nevertheless, his legacy remains strong: his works fetch high prices at auction and continue to be celebrated for their innovative style and symbolic depth.
For collectors and art experts, Klimt's work represents a fascinating exploration of the evolution of Symbolism and Art Nouveau. His unique approach to form, color, and subject matter makes his work highly valued and constantly relevant in the art world.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with sales and auction events related to the works of Gustav Klimt, we recommend signing up for updates. This will ensure that you don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of this remarkable artist's history.
Hanns Pellar was an Austrian painter and illustrator. He studied painting at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts under Heinrich Lefler.
Hanns Pellar was one of Munich's most prominent painters, whose quality craftsmanship and very pleasing images were characteristic of the Prince Regent's era. As a "favourite of various respected Darmstadt families", he produced a large number of portraits, especially of ladies, which eventually earned him the nickname "painter of elegance".
Egon Leo Adolf Ludwig Schiele, an Austrian Expressionist painter, is a figure whose work stands out for its raw intensity and exploration of sexuality, including a remarkable series of self-portraits that often featured nudity. Born in 1890 in Tulln, Lower Austria, Schiele's early life was marked by a fascination with trains and a troubled relationship with his family, especially following his father's death from syphilis when Schiele was just 15 years old. This event propelled him into the care of his uncle, who recognized Schiele's artistic talent despite his lack of interest in traditional academia, leading to Schiele's education at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.
Schiele's artistic journey was deeply influenced by his mentor Gustav Klimt, who introduced him to the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte, enriching his art with elements of Art Nouveau and paving the way for his distinct style that evolved beyond the influence of his mentor. Schiele's art, characterized by its emotional and sexual honesty, utilized figural distortion to challenge conventional ideals of beauty, making his work groundbreaking for its time.
Throughout his career, Schiele focused on self-portraiture, the human body, and sexuality, often leading to controversy due to the explicit nature of his work. Despite his brief life, cut short by the Spanish flu in 1918 at the age of 28, Schiele's body of work left a lasting impact on the art world. His contributions are celebrated in numerous museums and galleries worldwide, with the Leopold Museum in Vienna housing the most extensive collection of his works, featuring over 43 paintings and 200 watercolors, drawings, and prints. Schiele's work remains influential, offering a stark, introspective look into the human condition and the existential crises of his time.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Schiele's work offers a profound exploration of expressionism, culture, and the avant-garde movements of early 20th-century Europe. His legacy is a testament to the power of art to challenge societal norms and to explore the depths of human emotion and sexuality.
To stay informed about new sales, auctions, and exhibitions related to Egon Leo Adolf Ludwig Schiele, consider signing up for updates. This subscription will ensure you're the first to know about opportunities to acquire pieces by this groundbreaking artist, enriching your collection with works that capture the essence of Viennese Modernism.
