Austria - Vienna Secession

In Vienna the Secession developed from a protest movement against the predominantly conservative conditions in the operations of the institutional Künstlerhausvereinigung ("Association of Austrian Artists Künstlerhaus").

The group of young artists - with Gustav Klimt as President - soon had an exhibition hall - laughingly called the "Mahdi's monument" - and their own journal "Ver Sacrum".

They kept themselves informed about international developments in art and presented the works of their most important members in exhibitions.

As far as quality, inventiveness and formal wealth were concerned, the Vienna Secession became the leading secession movement; particular importance was attached to the enhancement of arts and crafts, as was proved in the Secession Exhibition.