"Beethoven Frieze" ( German: Beethovenfries ) is a cycle of paintings by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt , dedicated to composer Ludwig van Beethoven . It is considered one of the outstanding works of the Viennese art nouveau .
| ||
| Klimt, Gustav | ||
| Frieze at the 1902 exhibition . 1902 | ||
| Beethovenfries | ||
| Casein paint, plaster, gilding, wall painting | ||
| Secession House , Vienna | ||
Content
History
Paintings made in the form of an architectural frieze were first shown at the XIV exhibition " Association of Artists of the Vienna Secession ", which was held in 1902 from April 15 to June 27. The frieze adorned the three walls of the hall, in the center of which a Beethoven statue by Max Klinger was installed [1] .
After the exhibition, the cycle, immediately conceived as a temporary installation, was divided into 7 parts, and in 1907 acquired by collector Karl Reininghaus. In 1915, it was acquired by August Lederer , and in 1938 the Nazis expropriated. After the war, the paintings were returned to members of the Lederer family, who in 1973 sold it to the Austrian state for 15 million shillings. Since 1986, a frieze restored with state money has been in the Secession House in Vienna. Klinger's sculptures, which originally accompanied the frieze, ended up at the Museum of Fine Arts in Leipzig.
In 2013, the heirs of Lederer demanded that the Austrian state return the frieze, which was sold to the state, according to lawyers, under pressure and at an unfair price [2] . Their application remains unsatisfied.
Description
Klimt embodied in his fresco the artistic depiction of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The work was created in 1902 specifically for the Beethoven exhibition. The frieze occupied three walls and was about 34 meters long. The paintings are 2 meters high
The left-hand composition “Happiness for Happiness” depicted a golden knight ( German: Der goldene Ritter ) going to fight the forces of evil; he was escorted by two female figures symbolizing Victory (Glory) with a wreath of the winner and Compassion.
The central composition “Hostile Forces” ( German: Die feindlichen Gewalten ) represents the forces of evil. It consists of several details: the central huge figure of Typhon, three gorgons to the left of it, symbolizing illness, madness and death, to the right of female figures symbolizing voluptuousness, restraint and lust , to the side of them is the lonely figure of a woman, symbolizing the gnawing longing of all mankind.
The right composition of “Arts, Chorus of the Angels of Paradise” also consists of several details: figures symbolizing Joy and God's beautiful Sparks.
See also
- Secession House
- Vienna Secession
Notes
- ↑ Die Beethoven-Ausstellung 1902 “secession (German) . www.secession.at. Date of appeal April 27, 2017.
- ↑ Heirs of the patron of art demand from Austria to return the picture of Klimt