Design for the building of the Vienna Secession (1898) by Gustav KlimtWien Museum
In the early years of the Secession, founded in 1897, book and illustration art flourished. This is particularly evident in the monthly magazine "Ver Sacrum". Each of its square issues had a different design. The third issue in the first year of its release (1898) is wholly dedicated to the first chairman of the association, Gustav Klimt, who drew a series of Indian ink works for this purpose.
Gustav Klimt, Fish Blood, in: Ver sacrum, H. 3, 1898 (1898) by Gustav KlimtBelvedere
The famous full-page drawing "Fish Blood" in a modern square format marks the beginning of a new genre of images in Klimt's oeuvre, characterized by the mysterious combination of playful female erotica and flowing bodies of water. In "Fish Blood," the pronounced black-and-white effects and sensual body contours, long strands of hair, and waves of lines are reminiscent of the style of influential English illustrator Aubrey Beardsley.
Standing Nude, Studies for "Moving Water" (c. 1898) by Gustav KlimtAlbertina Museum
The painting "Moving Water" (1898) was created a few months later in close connection with "Fish Blood". Streamlined, nude water nymphs drift along the canvas, carried by broad waves of lines. For this painting, Klimt prepared both these ecstatic studies of a female nude as well as the composition sketch. With drawings such as these, Klimt set the prelude to a modern type of woman characterized by eroticism.
Flying Tripod (Cover illustration for "Ver Sacrum" No. 3, 1898) (1897-1898) by Gustav KlimtAlbertina Museum
The drawing of the flying tripod inspired by the Greek hydra is linked to the Apollo-worshipping, all-knowing oracle of Delphi. The work served as a template for the cover of the "Ver Sacrum" issue dedicated to Gustav Klimt. Programmatic of the early Secession was the theme of Apollo as the father of the Muses and protector of the arts, who played an important role.
Josef Lewinsky as Carlos in Clavigo (1895) by Gustav KlimtBelvedere
In the painting "Josef Lewinsky as Carlos in Clavigo" (1894), Klimt had already applied the motif of the tripod—from which rising smoke escapes—as a symbol of artistic inspiration.
Flying Tripod (Cover illustration for "Ver Sacrum" No. 3, 1898) (1897-1898) by Gustav KlimtAlbertina Museum
Klimt's drawing ability comes into its own in the narrow vertical format greatly inspired by Japanese art. This was a very popular choice for graphic art in "Ver Sacrum".
The balance between bright areas and silhouette-like dark ones is combined with a subtle play of delicate, black lines and lines of the blank paper by omission.
The broad landscape in the lower part stands out as summarily but effectively rendered. Inspiration was taken from antique vase paintings, but also from Aubrey Beardsley. The result, however, bears the unmistakable signature of Gustav Klimt.
Initial G (Illustration for "Ver Sacrum") (1897-1898) by Gustav KlimtAlbertina Museum
Among these aspects, the drawing for the G initial as well as a male head in profile can also be seen.
Head of a Man in Profile (Illustration for "Ver Sacrum") (1897-1898) by Gustav KlimtAlbertina Museum
The reproduction of this drawing in "Ver Sacrum" shows the letter D in the black area of the picture in the top right, accentuated by white.
Albertina Vienna
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