Final Essay ProposalMichael HemansVISD 2B39Keith BresnahanThursday April 12, 2012

As an Art Nouveau poster, Gustav Klimt’s Secesssion 1, remains true to its movement, but distills much of the elements that characterize a typical work of that style. In typical Art Nouveau paintings, line is primal. Line is used in these works, in an extravagant flowing way, not unlike the lines of a flowers stamen, or those seen on a butterfly’s antennae. Line takes precedent over form and space in art nouveau works nearly to the point of overdoing. They are used decoratively rather than descriptively even when illustrating real forms. In Secession 1, line is very much still primal and decorative however, Klimt has compromised by using them to accurately suggest form and shape, given the lack of gradation, which would typically describe the same. The lines in Athena’s garments for example are plentiful and sweeping, however their extravagance is limited so as not to distract the viewer from translating them as ruffles in drapery. Again in keeping with the linear nature of Art Nouveau the lines that suggest contours in both Athena and the narrative of Theseus slaying the Minotaur, are rhythmic and as decorative as possible without defeating their purpose. Another aspect of the movement Klimt has toned down in this poster is colour. Where most Art Nouveau works employ vibrant and diverse use of color Klimt has chosen to neutralize the colors and limit the palette to red, beige and black. Again I believe this was done so as not to confuse the intended message of the poster. With all this being said as stated before, the Secession 1 poster very much belongs to the Art Nouveau movement overall, and I believe Klimt’s choice to tone down the extravagant aspects that typically define an Art Nouveau work, namely in terms of line and color, was made so as not to distract from the symbolism and narrative that hold particular importance, over decoration, in this particular work.

"Art Nouveau." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/36571/Art-Nouveau>.

This Encyclopaedia article describes the Art Nouveau movement. It contextualizes the movement, describing key player within it, aesthetic movements that predated and influenced it, as well as movements it went on to influence. This article also describes the movement’s aesthetic characteristics in regards to architecture, illustration, interior design and poster design.

“Art Nouveau.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Nouveau>

This Wikipedia articlealso describes the Art Nouveau movement, its aesthetic sensibilities, history, scope and influences. It goes into depth on issues regarding the movement’s philosophy and regional variations in its style.

Heller, Steven. Graphic style: from Victorian to new century. 3rd ed. New York: Abrams, 2011. Print.

The chapter in this book on Art Nouveau, gives an in depth coverage of the distinct regional styles within the movement. Several pages each, is dedicated to the Italian, Viennese, Glaswegian, German, Belgian, French and American styles. This book comes in handy for understanding he particular elements that typify the movement as diverse as they are.