Beethoven Frieze

The Beethoven Frieze (German: Beethovenfries) is a painting by Gustav Klimt on display in the Secession Building, Vienna, Austria.

Beethoven Frieze
ArtistGustav Klimt
Year1901–1902[1]
MediumCharcoal, graphite, black, red and coloured chalk, pastel, casein colours, gold, silver, gilt stucco, applications (mother-of-pearl buttons, brass uniform buttons, mirror fragments, ground glass, brass curtain rings, upholstering nails, semi-precious stones) on mortar render over reed matting[1]
LocationSecession Building, Vienna, Austria

Description

In 1901, Klimt painted the Beethoven Frieze for the 14th Vienna Secessionist exhibition in celebration of the composer, and featured a monumental polychrome sculpture by Max Klinger. Meant for the exhibition only, the frieze was painted directly on the walls with light materials. After the exhibition the painting was preserved, although it did not go on display again until 1986.[2] The Beethoven Frieze is on permanent display in the Vienna Secession Building in a specially built, climate-controlled basement room.[3]

The frieze is large, standing at 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) high with a width of 34.14 m (112.0 ft).[3] The entire work weighs four tons.[4] It is based on Richard Wagner's interpretation of Beethoven'9th symphony.

  • Left wall: "the yearning for happiness; the sufferings of weak mankind; ..."
    Left wall: "the yearning for happiness; the sufferings of weak mankind; ..."
  • "... their petition to the well-armed strong one, to take up the struggle for happiness, impelled by motives of compassion and ambition.
    "... their petition to the well-armed strong one, to take up the struggle for happiness, impelled by motives of compassion and ambition.
  • Middle wall: the hostile forces; Typhoeus the giant, against whom even gods fought in vain; his daughters, the three Gorgons, who symbolise lust and lechery, intemperance and gnawing care. The longings and wishes of mankind fly over their heads."
    Middle wall: the hostile forces; Typhoeus the giant, against whom even gods fought in vain; his daughters, the three Gorgons, who symbolise lust and lechery, intemperance and gnawing care. The longings and wishes of mankind fly over their heads."
  • Right wall: "the yearning for happiness is assuaged in poetry. The arts lead us to the ideal realm in which we all can find pure joy, pure happiness, pure love. ..."
    Right wall: "the yearning for happiness is assuaged in poetry. The arts lead us to the ideal realm in which we all can find pure joy, pure happiness, pure love. ..."
  • "... Choir of angels from Paradise. 'Joy, lovely spark of heaven's fire, this embrace for all the world."
    "... Choir of angels from Paradise. 'Joy, lovely spark of heaven's fire, this embrace for all the world."[5]

Depiction on coin
Secession Coin, featuring a portion of the frieze

Because of the frieze's fame and popularity, it was made the main motif of a collectors' coin: the Austrian 100 euro Secession Coin, minted on 10 November 2004. The reverse side features a small portion of the frieze. The extract from the painting features three figures: a knight in armor representing "Armored Strength", one woman in the background symbolizing "Ambition" holding up a wreath of victory and a second woman representing "Sympathy" with lowered head and clasped hands.

See also

Notes
  1. Natter, Tobias G.; Taschen, Benedikt (2017). Gustav Klimt – The Complete Paintings. Taschen. p. 524. ISBN 978-3-8365-6661-2.
  2. "Beethoven Frieze". klimt.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  3. "The Beethoven Frieze". Vienna Secession. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  4. Cohen, Patricia (15 October 2013). "Heirs Press Austria to Return Looted Klimt Frieze". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  5. "History of Art:Gustav Klimt". www.all-art.org. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
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