Vienna on the Path to Modernism

Around the turn of the 20th century, Vienna emerged as one of Europe’s cultural and intellectual hubs. This surge of innovation in philosophy, literature, visual arts, architecture and music in the Austrian capital became known as Viennese Modernism, a period in which artists sought new forms of expression while protesting against outdated views. Four pioneers stood at the helm of this movement: painters Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, architect Otto Wagner and artist Koloman Moser, all of whom had a lasting impact on Vienna’s culture. As 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of Japanese and Austrian diplomacy, The National Art Center, Tokyo is hosting a grand exhibition dedicated to Viennese Modernism. Over 400 works by major fin de siècle artists like Klimt, Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos will be on display. Other exhibition highlights include masterpieces from the second half of the 18th century and the Biedermeier period (1814-1848).