Josef Maria Auchentaller (1865-1945): A Secessionist on the Borders of the Empire
Palazzo Attems-Petzenstein, Gorizia, Italy, until 30 September
The story that unfolds in this fascinating exhibition is a strange and poignant one. The Viennese-born Auchentaller was a contributor to the Munich Secession of 1892 and a key player in the Vienna Secession of 1897, two of the most important fin-de-siècle revolts against the conservatism of the artistic establishment. Along with Klimt, he was one of the editors of Ver Sacrum (Sacred Spring), the official voice of the Vienna Secession, and in 1901 an entire issue was devoted to Auchentaller’s work in various media.
His life was long and artistically productive, but through a series of mishaps many of his works were lost. His huge ‘Ode to Joy’ frieze, companion to Klimt’s ‘Beethoven Frieze’, now one of the main attractions at the Belvedere Gallery in Vienna, created for the celebrated 14th Secession exhibition in 1902, was lost without trace when the show was dismantled.
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