Vienna Modern: Klimt, Schiele, and the Road to the End of the Century
I visited the “Vienna Modern: Klimt, Schiele, and the Road to the End of the Century” exhibition held at The National Art Center, Tokyo.
This exhibition goes back as far as the mid-18th century, spotlighting the historical background leading up to fin-de-siècle Viennese culture—including Biedermeier-era crafts that later influenced the Wiener Werkstätte, and the urban redevelopment plan that became the origin of Vienna’s development into an art city.
Beyond paintings and crafts, it comprehensively displays architecture, design, interiors, fashion, and graphic design, along with period photographs and documents and a video of Vienna’s urban transformation specially produced for the exhibition.
Gustav Klimt
As if in rivalry with the Klimt Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, held at the same time, a total of 47 Gustav Klimt works were on display—satisfying in both quality and quantity.
Especially, the drawings are numerous, and I think you can encounter Klimt’s talent.
Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele’s works were also prepared across a wide range—from oils to drawings and lithographs. Schiele’s exhibited works numbered 22 in all.
Oskar Kokoschka
The works of Oskar Kokoschka, which I’d looked forward to very much, numbered 17 in all.
Due to copyright, I couldn’t post images, but 《Poster for the Kunstschau Summer Theater program ‘Murderer, the Hope of Women’》 became the most memorable work among those exhibited.
Note: *the Osaka showing will have 18 Klimt, 11 Schiele, and 8 Kokoschka works.
Various Exhibits
Beyond paintings, this exhibition entertains with many exhibits and display styles.
Original Goods
At this exhibition’s “Vienna Modern Special Shop,” many original goods were sold.
In addition to the joy of viewing artworks, you should be able to savor the pleasure of shopping and of owning. Please also see the article below.
By viewing this together with “Klimt Exhibition: Vienna and Japan 1900,” held at the same time, I think it leads to a deeper viewing experience.
