Viennese StyleBiedermeier through Fin de SiècleDesign of Living, An Invitation to the Theatrical City, ViennaClosed

This exhibition explores two of Vienna’s most radiant artistic periods—the early 19th-century Biedermeier era and the fin de siècle—through a rich array of silverware, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, dresses, and furniture. What unites the crafts and designs of both eras is their focus on practicality and comfort in everyday life, a sincere and restrained decorative style, and a poetic spirit that finds beauty in nature. These shared aesthetic values are brought to life through comparative displays and spatial compositions.
From the 19th century into the early 20th century, Vienna developed a distinct modern style. Otto Wagner championed a “practical style,” emphasizing utility and rationality. This philosophy was embraced by his disciples, including Josef Hoffmann, whose fin de siècle designs in Vienna were marked by geometric and architectural forms, and functional beauty that achieved both utility and comfort. Yet the period also saw the emergence of richly decorative and fantastical works, resisting uniform classification and allowing for a wide spectrum of artistic expression.
Behind this wave of fin de siècle design innovation was a conscious return to the Biedermeier style of the early 19th century. Its fine craftsmanship, original rather than imitative design, and deep affinity for nature-inspired motifs were interpreted by fin de siècle designers as a point of departure for shaping a modern domestic culture. By deliberately inheriting and referencing the legacy of the past and reimagining it in contemporary forms, they forged what came to be known as the “Viennese Style.”
This exhibition introduces the essence of the Viennese Style from multiple perspectives—not only through design and craft works from both periods, but also through Gustav Klimt’s delicate drawings, the initiatives of pioneering women of the time, and the accomplishments of female designers. In the final chapter, the exhibition examines how the spirit of fin de siècle Vienna continued to resonate beyond the era itself.
You will also be invited into a specially designed exhibition space featuring textiles created exclusively for this show by NUNO.