Celebrating Koloman Moser (1868-1918)

This month we are celebrating Koloman Moser (1868-1918), an iconic Austrian artist who spanned many disciplines. He was a key player in the Vienna Succession movement and founded the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) in 1910, with fellow artist Josef Hoffman and industrialist Fritz Waerndorfer. The workshop was a multi-disciplinary association of artists and craftspeople who were tired of mass-produced factory items and wanted to make things that were lovingly hand crafted.

Moser’s style was highly influential in both Art Nouveau and Modernism. He worked on domestic and commercial projects, creating textiles, furniture, glass, and porcelain. He was so prolific he became known by the name “Tausendkünstler” (the thousand-artist).

As a pattern designer, I love Moser’s repeating, tessellated patterns and his geometric patterned posters take a very different approach to the normal flowing style of Art Nouveau.

For a great selection of his works see the Vienna Succession website.

Until next time creative crew,

Joanna

Above left: Abimelech 1899. Above right: Donauwellen 1901. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Moser Secession poster 1902. Credit: Kitchener Lord CCBYNCND2.0