Secession Museum, Vienna, Austria 1
In the late 19th century, young artists in Europe were up in arms. Historicism is dead! they cried. Down with stuffy academies! There were Impressionists like Renoir and Monet in Paris, Art Nouveau enthusiasts like Mucha in Prague, and Secessionists in Berlin, Munich, and Vienna. Gustav Klimt was one of
Secession Museum, Vienna, Austria 2
The 3 heads above the door of the Secession building depict the Gorgons of Greek mythology. Like the Jugendstil owls on the facade, these gruesome women are symbols of Pallas Athene and represent the 3 arts: painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Secession Museum, Vienna, Austria 3
Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit. (“To every age its art. To every art its freedom.”)
Elementary School, Neustiftgasse, Vienna, Austria
Note the cigarette butts. In Austria, almost everyone smokes.
Marx Augustin & Bagpipes, Neustiftgasse, Vienna, Austria
Marx Augustin was a bagpipe-playing, ballad singing, charming drunk around town. In the late 17th century, Lieber Augustin (“Dear Augustin”) became a beloved figure in city inns, an eternal optimist who chuckled in the face of Vienna’s Great Plague. One night, decidedly tipsy, Augustin tumbled into a gutter. Figuring it
Continue readingMarx Augustin & Bagpipes, Neustiftgasse, Vienna, Austria
Schrankgasse, Vienna, Austria 1
The Schrankgasse and the Siebensterngasse are located in Vienna’s Spittelberg Quarter, a small neighborhood of pedestrian alleys, art galleries, and Biedermeier buildings. A craft market is held on the first weekend of each month. You’ll find a lot of bars and restaurants in this area, but it may be wise