Vienna around 1900 – not only was the center of the Habsburg monarchy here, but also the heart of European art life. Art history was written in this city, and above all by one man: Ludwig Hevesi (1843–1910). The Hungarian-born journalist was the most important art critic of his time. His unmistakable sense of quality made him the leading connoisseur of contemporary painting. His judgment determined the longevity of artistic careers and even influenced Emperor Franz Joseph. Hevesi helped Gustav Klimt and Viennese Art Nouveau to success and also coined the motto of the Vienna Secession: “To every time its art. To art its freedom.” His texts bring past epochs to life – they tell of the successes, failures, scandals and sensations that kept the Viennese art scene in suspense – and still define our image of Viennese modernism today.
Dr. Ilona Sármány-Parsons is an art historian. She taught art and cultural history in Budapest, Debrecen, Nottingham, Prague and Vienna. Her field of research is the art of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Besides being the author of numerous publications in magazines and books, she curated the international exhibition “The First Golden Age – Painting in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy” at the Kunsthalle Budapest (Műcsarnok) in 2016/17.

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