A few hours in Vienna

I finally made it to the National Gallery of Victoria's Vienna Art & Design exhibition, which is showing until the 9th of October 2011.

Gustav Klimt's art work held an immediate appeal to me after coming across it in my early high school years - his sumptuous use of decorative pattern and stylised ornamentation was such an inspiration for a young girl with a love of pattern and textiles.

Italian garden landscape 1913 by Gustav KLIMT

Austria 1862-1918

oil on canvas

Kunsthaus Zug, Stiftung Sammlung Kamm

Fritza Riedler 1906 by Gustav KLIMT

Austria 1862-1918

oil on canvas

Belvedere, Vienna

The star of the show (in my humble opinion) 

Emilie Flöge 1902 by Gustav KLIMT

Austria 1862-1918

oil on canvas

Wien Museum, Vienna

Also on display is a fantastic collection of Successionist poster designs, book designs, Wiener Werkstatte product designs, bentwood cafe furniture, architectural designs, (and most importantly!) textile designs by the likes of Koloman Moser, Josef Hoffman and Dagobert Peche.

Plate from Flachen Schmuck series, 1901

Koloman MOSER Austria 1868-1918

National Gallery of Australia Research Library

Plate from Flachen Schmuck series, 1901

Koloman MOSER Austria 1868-1918

National Gallery of Australia Research Library

I'm now heading to my couch with my catalogue in hand. Have a great weekend!