Sunday, June 15, 2014

My Favorite Paintings at Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna

The complex of the Belvedere Palaces in Vienna contained the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere (Austrian Gallery Belvedere), showcasing Austrian artists, such as Gustave Klimt (1862-1918) and Egon Schiele (1890-1918), two giants of the late 19th to early 20th century and their works were indeed my favorites in this museum.

Of many works by these two artists, I'll call Braut (Bride) by Klimt as my first favorite.  It was less iconic than the more renown Kuss (Kiss), but the images of this piece were richer and the messages more layered.  I particularly loved the interplays of the patterns and the juxtaposition of those overtly sensual, to the point of near indecent fleshy figures, permeating a hedonistic and even sinister atmosphere. It was the unabashed abandon carried the day.


Braut, Gustav Klimt, 1918, Oberes Belvedere, Wien

My second favorite painting there was Fensterwand (Hauswand) (Window Wall (House Wall), which contrasted most violently with the Braut by Klimt.


Fensterwand (Hauswand), Egon Schiele, 1914, Oberes Belvedere, Wien

This Schiele piece, somber though not stern, was orderly and becalming, with dashes of colors accenting the overall gray scheme.  It had a purifying effect, yet it was also playful in the details.  This piece, completed just four short years before both his wife and he succumbed to the Spanish flu pandemic, represented the world to be smashed by the Great War (World War I).  A very beautiful and poignant piece.


My Favorite Museum Collection Series
>> My Favorite Museum Collection Series 82: My Favorite Paintings at Leopold Museum, Vienna
<< My Favorite Museum Collection Series 80: My Favorite Paintings at Albertina Museum, Vienna

List of My Favorite Artworks in the Museums I've Visited


Other Related posts on Art · 文化 · Kunst:
- Magnificent Churches in Vienna
- Kaiser Maximilian I und die Kunst der Duerer-Zeit in Albertina Museum, Vienna
- My Favorite Paintings at Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien
- My Favorite Paintings at Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien (Vienna)
- Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele in Wien (Vienna)
- Visiting Four Universities in Austria and Italy

No comments:

Post a Comment