Majolica house and other beautiful Astrian Art Nouveau buildings to delight

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Modern has left its architectural mark all over the world. The artists wanted to free themselves from the limitations of traditional forms, historicism and academic art. This search for a new aesthetic has established itself internationally. And Vienna is no exception. Influenced by Art Nouveau and in search of art that was anti-establishment, the Vienna Secession was born. It was founded in 1897 by several of the most famous Austrian architects and artists from Otto Wagner to Gustav Klimt, who brought the world a Viennese version of Art Nouveau architecture, characterized by a more restrained geometric style and clear structured lines.

1. House of majolica

The majolica house was built in 1898 by the architect Otto Wagner. Wagner originally intended to build a magnificent boulevard along the Vienna River, but these plans never materialized. Located in the center of Vienna, the tenement house exhibits an exceptional appearance, which also provoked the building's name. The expression "majolica house" comes from the colorful and glazed ceramics called majolica, which were used for the tiles covering the façade. Architect Otto Wagner has always attached great importance to the hygienic component of buildings. Therefore, the tiles must be weather resistant and easy to clean.

While the overall architecture of the building was nothing new, the polychrome façade radically set the structure apart. The striking tile designs were carried out by the artist Alois Ludwig, who was a student of Otto Wagner. Using such playful and floral motifs, Ludwig created a distinctive Art Nouveau nod.

The multi-colored appearance of the facade of the building caused many disagreements and conflicting opinions, while some sang odes of praise, others did not stop criticizing, expressing their dissatisfaction. The much-talked about ornate façade of the Majolica House at the time became an infamous landmark. Austrian architect Adolf Loos sharply criticized Wagner's use of ornamentation. However, the vibrant colors, flowers and geometric designs make the majolica house one of the most important buildings in Viennese architecture around 1900.

2. House-medallion

Right next to the Majolica House stands another Otto Wagner's apartment building, built in 1898: the Medallion House. Both buildings are often collectively referred to as the "Wienzeilenhäuser". The Medallion House (Medallion House) stretches not only along the Vienna River, but also goes around the corner, while maintaining its characteristic façade.

Since 1914, the building has been owned by the Kon family. However, the family fled into exile during World War II and the building was taken over by the Nazis. When the family returned in 1947, they reclaimed the house that rightfully belonged to them.

The flat gold ornament was designed by the Austrian artist and craftsman Koloman Moser, who was another well-known member of the Vienna branch. Its medallion-shaped decorations gave the building its name. Austrian sculptor Otmar Schimkowitz created female figures (often called "Ruferinnen", which means "weeping women" in German) atop the building.

This combination makes the House-Medallion an unusual example of Viennese Secession architecture, which contains elements of neoclassicism. The influence of Art Nouveau is evident in the use of botanical themes such as palm leaves and playful gold decor. In addition, the female faces decorating the inside of the medallions are reminiscent of the works of the famous Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. The women depicted on the medallions evoke memories of the Mucha women with their long flowing hair and soft features. Like the Majolica House, the Medallion House has also been criticized, causing a lot of controversy.

3. Pavilions of the Stadtbahn

Otto Wagner's Stadtbahn pavilions were built in the open square Karlsplatz as stations for the old city rail in Vienna in 1898. Otto Wagner was responsible for the artistic design of the city railroad and designed two identical pavilions facing each other in the style of the Vienna Secession. Their central location made functional buildings also play a representative role.

Today the metro is located directly under the pavilions. Due to the construction of the metro in the 60s, the city wanted to demolish both buildings. However, the demolition plan led to protests, and as a result, the pavilions remained.

Otto followed his rules for pavilions, which was that construction comes first, and decoration should be subordinate to the shape of the building, and not vice versa. This principle that form must follow function was very popular in the 20th century. The frame structure is made of metal, and the façade of the pavilions is faced with marble slabs. Gold, floral and geometric motifs adorn the exterior, displaying the Art Nouveau style. The emphasis on clean lines and functional construction, combined with curved and floral decorations, are exemplary for the architecture of the Vienna Secession.

Currently, both buildings are covered in graffiti. The pavilion to the west serves as a small museum that tells the story of the building and the life of its architect Otto Wagner. The east pavilion has a cafe and a small club in the basement.

4. Church of St. Leopold

St. Leopold's Church was built from 1904 to 1907 according to Wagner's design. In German, the building is often called "Kirche am Steinhof", which roughly translates as "church on a stone courtyard." The name comes from the quarries next to the building. St. Leopold's Church, however, belongs to the patron saint of Austria to whom the construction was dedicated.

The church was originally built for the patients of the psychiatric hospital, which was located in the same building. Therefore, Wagner had to take into account that people with severe mental illness would attend church. To provide a safe and practical place for patients, Otto discussed this issue with caregivers. The architecture therefore included benches with rounded edges and several emergency exits for safety. In addition, there were no scenes of violence from the life of Christ in the interior, so as not to disturb the patients. Wagner also incorporated hygienic aspects into the design. Holy water, for example, was made available through a dispenser to avoid diseases caused by infection.

Due to disagreements between Otto and Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the architect was not mentioned during the opening of the church. Since the Archduke was not conquered by the style of the Vienna Secession and the collaboration with the architect, Otto did not receive any further work from the imperial family. Otmar Szymkowitz, the artist who created the sculptures for Otto Wagner's Medallion House, created equally outstanding angel sculptures over the splendid entrance to the church.

5. Secession building

Since the artists of the Vienna branch needed a place to display their work, they commissioned Josef Maria Olbrich to build an exhibition space for them. Olbrich was a student of Otto Wagner. Designing the Branch building was his first major job as an architect. Built from 1897 to 1898, the building is one of the most important architectural examples of Austrian Art Nouveau. Even today, the building serves as a museum of modern art.

Its cubic shape, white walls and an extravagant golden dome make the building stand out from its surroundings. When construction was completed in 1898, people gathered in large numbers in front of the building and discussed its unusual appearance. Austrian journalist Eduard Petzl once even compared the conspicuous dome to a head of cabbage.

Above the entrance you can read the inscription, which means "for each era its own art, for art - its own freedom." This quote has become one of the mottos of the Vienna Branch. Another expression is written on the left side of the building in the Latin words "Ver Sacrum", which translates as "holy source". With its clean lines, flat wall, gold décor and botanical elements, the Secession building embodies the characteristics of Austrian Art Nouveau.

Various Austrian artists collaborated on the outer door. The flower pots on each side of the building were made by the Austrian craftsman Robert Earley, who decorated the base of the pots with sculptures of turtles. Above the entrance, Otmar Szymkowitz depicted a gorgon. The owls on both sides of the building were designed by Koloman Moser. The Vienna branch not only changed the way architecture is viewed, but also challenged tradition, paving the way for new opportunities and contemporary art, and influencing artists and architects around the world.

Continuing the topic of architecture and stately buildings, read also about why Filippo Brunelleschi, who built the main cathedral in Florence thirty years was not in his hometown and that was the reason for returning to his homeland.