Koloman Moser: Designing Modern Vienna 1897-1907

by Christian Witt-Dorring (Editor), Angela Volker (Contribution by), Janis Staggs (Contribution by), Ernst Ploil (Contribution by), Elisabeth Schmuttermeier (Contribution by)

Overview

Tracing the career of Koloman Moser, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design, this stunning book focuses on Moser’s accomplishments in the decorative arts. During his short career, Koloman Moser became a towering figure in Viennese culture. His varied work in interior and graphic design, furniture, textiles, jewelry, metalwork, glass, and earthenware helped usher in the modern era. This book surveys the entirety of Moser’s oeuvre. It examines his work as a graphic designer and his involvement with the Vienna Secession, with special focus given to his role as an illustrator for the journal Ver Sacrum (Sacred Spring). Moser’s forays into textile design and ceramic work are also introduced. The book features his designs for the Vienna Secession, Thonet Brothers, and the Mautner family, among others that characterize his early modern style. The book also explores Moser’s seminal role as a founding member of the Vienna Workshops, along with architect Josef Hoffmann and patron Fritz Waerndorfer. Included are many reproductions of Moser’s masterpieces, including the window of the Steinhof Chapel, his exhibition posters, postage stamps and currency, and elegant examples from his design portfolio, "The Source."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783791352947
Publisher:	Prestel Publishing
Publication date:	05/29/2013
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 11.40(h) x 1.50(d)

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2013
Koloman Moser, Gustav Klimt, and a handful of other Austrian artists were responsible for the Viennese Secession, an art movement begun in 1897. The aim of the Secession movement was not to create one specific artistic style but to provide an atmosphere for greater creativity. Moser was an exceptional graphic artist and one of the greatest influences on 20th-century graphic art. It is apparent from the beautiful illustrations in this title that he impacted the art deco movement of the 1920s and 1930s. Witt-Dörring (curator of decorative arts at the Neue Galerie in New York City) traces Moser's career, focusing on his accomplishments in the decorative arts. Containing hundreds of color and black-and-white images of Moser's achievements in graphic art, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and glass, this is more than just another coffee-table book. The learned articles by experts in their fields detailing Moser's contributions in each of the decorative arts and the biographical time line, bibliography, and illustrations make the work an important reference source on the Viennese Secession. VERDICT Eye candy and intellectual stimulation in one beautiful volume.—Sandra Knowles, South Carolina State Lib., Columbia

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