Germany - Joseph Maria Olbrich (1867-1908)
A pupil of Wagner, he was a founder member of the Vienna Secession and of the Darmstadt artists' colony. The exhibition hall the "Secession" (1897/98) and its clear, strict, cubic shape, latticed metal cupola and details rich in fantasy, designed by Olbrich made him a pioneer of modern architecture.

In line with the ideas of Art Nouveau (the environment as a Gesamtkunstwerk) he also worked on the decorative furnishing of interiors, on designs for glasses, posters, book decoration, even on the design of household utensils.

As far as style is concerned, he adhered to the geometric trend typical of Vienna, which he contrasted to flowing ornaments


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An exhibition hall by Olbrich on behalf of the Darmstadt artists' colony - postcard dated 1908.
© Quittenbaum München, Jugendstil - Art Deco, 18th November 00'