Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze Decoded & Why it’s a Must-See in Vienna

The building’s exterior features a striking golden dome made of laurel leaves, affectionately called Golden Cabbage by the Viennese. Above the entrance, the motto To every age its art, to art its freedom is boldly displayed in gold.

Inside, the Secession Building is home to Gustav Klimt’s renowned Beethoven Frieze, a monumental mural created in 1902. Inspired by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the frieze spans three walls and reflects themes of human aspiration and redemption through art and beauty.

We loved how the audio guide blasted the Ninth Symphony between dishing out information. I said this before, but let me say it again – get the audio guide!

Klimt aimed to capture the essence of Beethoven’s symphony in visual form. He worked directly on the walls of the Secession Building, using various materials, including gold leaf, coloured stones, and mother-of-pearl, to create a rich, textured effect that mirrored the opulence of the symphony.

Throughout the process, Klimt was influenced by various sources, including mythology, symbolism, and Sigmund Freud’s contemporary psychological theories. These influences are evident in the frieze’s symbolic figures and intricate details. The result was a masterpiece that seamlessly blended music and visual art, encapsulating the spirit of the Vienna Secession movement.

The knight in shining armour symbolizes humanity’s aspiration and pursuit of happiness. He is flanked by two female figures representing the arts—Poetry and Ambition—who guide him on his quest. This team will help man in his pursuit of happiness.

Here, at the start already, Klimt is hinting at the transformative power of creativity and culture.

The panel’s composition, with its flowing lines and harmonious forms, evokes a sense of movement and progression towards an ideal state. Klimt’s knight emphasizes that the pursuit of happiness is both a noble and an enduring endeavour, driven by a blend of inner desire and external inspiration from the arts.

On either side of these central figures are allegorical representations of suffering: three figures embodying lust, overindulgence, and recklessness. These elements highlight the internal and external challenges that individuals face in their pursuit of joy and fulfilment.

The stark contrast between the grotesque figures and the serene, harmonious elements in the earlier panels underscores the intense conflict between good and evil, hope and despair.

Klimt’s intricate use of gold and texture in this panel amplifies the dramatic tension, emphasizing that the path to true happiness and enlightenment is fraught with formidable adversities that must be overcome.

Surrounding them are ethereal figures symbolizing the Choir of Angels, singing the Ode to Joy, echoing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This divine chorus signifies the ultimate attainment of happiness, peace, and enlightenment through the power of art and beauty.

In this last scene of the Beethoven Frieze, Klimt emphasizes that true happiness is attained when the soul finds solace and inspiration in the arts and higher ideals.

Slow clap 👏