Gustav Klimt: Painting, Design and Modern Life in Vienna 1900 at Tate Gallery Liverpool on artrepublic.com
Exhibition running from May 30 2008
until Aug 31 2008
To celebrate European Capital of Culture 2008, Tate Liverpool will present the first comprehensive exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work ever staged in the UK. The exhibition focuses on the life and art of one of the world’s most influential and revered artists. It will explore the relationship between Klimt as a leader of the Viennese Secession and the products and philosophy of the Wiener Werkstätte (Viennese Workshop, 1903-1932) – a highpoint of 20th-century design. Klimt played a critical role in the foundation and leadership of the Viennese Secession, a progressive group of artists and artisans driven by a desire for innovation and renewal. The work and philosophy of the Secession embraced not only art but also architecture, fashion and the dazzling decorative art objects and furniture of the Wiener Werkstätte, demanding the emancipation of fine and applied art in sophisticated and stunning environments. A major highlight of the exhibition is a full-scale reconstruction of The Beethoven Frieze (1901-2 / 1984) a monumental installation by Gustav Klimt. The Beethoven Frieze was created by Klimt for an exhibition in 1902 and is now permanently installed in the Secession building where it was originally presented in Vienna. This exquisite reconstruction was created using the same techniques as applied by Klimt himself as the original Frieze, a masterpiece of 20th century art, underwent restoration. The Frieze celebrates the unification of all arts – painting, sculpture, architecture and music - and is a prime example of the “Gesamtkunstwerk”, the concept of the total work of art pioneered by Richard Wagner and influential in Vienna around 1900. The exhibition features not only major paintings, drawings and graphics by Klimt but also a wealth of furniture, design and silver objects, jewellery, fashion, graphic design and documentary material assembled from across the world. Alongside the work of Josef Hoffmann, architect and designer, founding member of the Wiener Werkstätte and a close friend of the artist. Klimt’s spectacular paintings will be displayed in settings that recreate his patrons’ private residences, to illuminate the critical role played by the artist’s collectors and supporters in their search for identity at the turn of the century. OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sun: 10.00 - 17.50 Image Credits: Image 1: Gustav Klimt, The Golden Knight (Life Is a Struggle) 1903, © Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Nagoya Slide Show - Image 1: Gustav Klim, tThe Beethoven Frieze (detail) 1901-2 (copy 1984), Belvedere, Vienna Image 2: Gustav Klimt, The Beethoven Frieze (detail) 1901-2 (copy 1984) Belvedere, Vienna If you were interested in this article you may like to…Find our more about Gustav Klimt and the Art Nouveau art movement in our artist biography and art term definition sections. These sections offer a fascinating insight into the art world and we are adding to them all the time.  |
