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What the painting shows
Poster for the first Secession exhibition by Klimt organizes bold figures around a large field of open paper. In the upper horizontal band, Theseus leans forward to wrestle the horned Minotaur inside a dark thicket. The words Ver Sacrum and Theseus und Minotaurus appear beside the struggling figures.
On the right edge, the Greek goddess Athena stands tall in profile. She wears a helmet and a long red robe while holding a spear that reaches the top of the sheet. Her left hand supports a round golden shield marked with the stylized face of the Gorgon, showing circular eyes and bared teeth. A wide cream-coloured void fills the center, resting directly above hand-drawn typography that details the event. Klimt used such mythological motifs across his decorative allegories.
The story behind it
Klimt produced the work in 1898 as a colour lithograph. Also referred to as the Secession poster, it served as the graphic announcement for the artists’ newly formed group.
The lettering at the base lists the union name along with practical visitor details. It marks the opening in late March and the closing in mid-June at the Gartenbaugesellschaft building located on Parkring in Vienna.
Where to see it
Poster for the First Secession Exhibition is part of the collection at Wien Museum in Vienna. The museum preserves the lithograph among its holdings of Viennese art. For advice on locating other original displays in the city and across Europe, browse our overview on where to see Klimt paintings.
Questions about Poster for the First Secession Exhibition
What does Poster for the First Secession Exhibition by Klimt show?
Poster for the First Secession Exhibition by Klimt shows the mythical hero Theseus fighting the Minotaur above an illustration of the goddess Athena. Theseus battles the beast across the top section, while Athena stands on the right holding a spear and a golden shield with a Gorgon face. A large empty rectangular space occupies the center above detailed German exhibition lettering.
Where is Poster for the First Secession Exhibition by Klimt?
Poster for the First Secession Exhibition by Klimt is in the collection of Wien Museum in Vienna, Austria. The municipal museum safeguards this original 1898 colour lithograph alongside other historical items from the Vienna Secession movement. Visitors can view artworks from this period in the museum's permanent galleries and special exhibitions dedicated to Viennese cultural history.
