Koloman Moser
Time for a bit of Vienna Secession!
Designed in 1899, as an increasingly industrializing world braced itself for the uncertainties of a new century, Koloman Moser’s enigmatic and heavily stylized portrait vibrates with anxiety about what lies ahead for mankind. It is dominated by the sidelong stare of a mysterious woman in accord with the artistic temperament of the times. Gazing past the hourglass that she lifts like a sacred chalice or sacrificial offering, this archetypal mystic could easily have been modeled after a young Madame Blavatsky, the Russian occultist philosopher and co-founder of the Theosophical Society, whose esoteric ideas about Ancient Wisdom were shaping the artistic attitudes of everyone from Piet Mondrian to Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky to Hilma af Klint.
Vienna Secession is not only Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, as you can see today, but also other artists of Vienna in the beginnings of the 20th century who created stunning works. If you love Secession, don't miss our Undated Secession Planner (as the new year approaches), which you can explore in the DailyArt Shop! This beautiful poster is featured there. :)
P.S. One of the most famous posters at the turn of the 19th century was created by Alphonse Mucha. See our selection of his 13 most iconic posters! And if you want to explore the art of Vienna Secession, see the articles below.