Wiener Secession, Wiener Staatsoper

One of the few ‘must-see’ in the city that I haven’t got the chance to get a good shot of is the Wiener Secession (also known as the Union of Austrian Artists). I always thought of it as just another building in town…now, it is one that I recommend tourists to see. What appears on top of the building as a golden ball is actually a dome of golden laurel leaves…amounting to 3000 pieces and 700 berries. The laurel represents victory, dignity and purity which is the main mission of the artists who spearheaded the movement. The building is dedicated to the works of the contemporary artists.

Visitors can tour the museum to view the fine paintings and art collections of artists Gustav Klimt, Joseph Maria Olbrich (himself the architect),Eugene Grasset, Max Klinger, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Arnold Bocklin. (More on the building architecture tomorrow.)