The Vienna Secession movement broke away from the conservative Künstlerhaus in 1897, with Gustav Klimt as its first president, arguing for an art scene more open to modern and international influences. The exhibition hall they built the following year, with its motto "To every age its art, to art its freedom" inscribed above the entrance, remains the movement's clearest physical legacy.
The Beethoven Frieze
In the basement, Klimt's Beethoven Frieze — a monumental, symbolism-heavy painting created for a 1902 exhibition honouring the composer — is the single reason most visitors come. It was intended to be temporary and nearly destroyed after the exhibition closed, but was preserved and eventually returned to permanent display in the building it was created for, a rare case of site-specific Klimt work that can still be seen in its original context.
The building itself
Beyond the frieze, the Secession functions as a contemporary art space, with rotating exhibitions in the main hall — so what else you'll see depends entirely on what's showing when you visit, on top of the frieze itself, which is a permanent fixture.
Local tip
The Secession sits right at the top of the Naschmarkt, making it easy to combine a visit with lunch at the market or a wander through its stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is inside the Secession building?
Klimt's Beethoven Frieze is the permanent highlight, alongside rotating contemporary art exhibitions in the main hall.
Why is the Secession dome called the golden cabbage?
Viennese locals gave the gilded dome of laurel leaves the nickname shortly after the building opened, and it's stuck ever since.