Secession Vienna — Gold Leaves and the Manifesto of Artistic Freedom

At a Glance

The Secession is an 1898 exhibition building near Vienna's Karlsplatz—and the home of the historical Vienna Secession artists' association. Above the entrance runs "Der Zeit ihre Kunst, der Kunst ihre Freiheit" ("To every age its art, to art its freedom"). The building remains a working kunsthalle for contemporary art.

Olbrich's White House and Gold Dome

Joseph Maria Olbrich designed the building at 26, pairing a cubic white volume with a dome of about 2,500 gilded laurel leaves—nicknamed "the golden cabbage" by Viennese at the time. The interior is fully reconfigurable between shows. A major 2018–19 renovation restored façade and systems.

Must-See

• Gustav Klimt — Beethoven Frieze, permanently installed on the basement level; a 34-metre work made for the 1902 14th Secession exhibition and the only large-scale Klimt mural publicly accessible.
• About ten contemporary exhibitions a year.
• Annual member-artists group show (the Secession still has ~330 members).
• Historical foyer with Klimt, Moser, Olbrich documentation.

Tips

Three minutes from Karlsplatz (U1/U2/U4). About €12 including the Beethoven Frieze. Plan 1–1.5 hours. Pair with Karlskirche and the MuseumsQuartier.