Worldfairs Forum - Expositions Universelles et Spécialisées

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The beautiful building erected at the World’s Fair by Austria is a perfect exponent of the modern movement in art. It is the last structure on the right as the visitor approaches the Administration building, and it is composed of a central hall with two broad wings. The exterior decorations consist of bas relief ornament, statues and fresco paintings in the style of the “Moderne Kunst.” The wide front door opens into a reception hall, the chief ornament of which is a marble bust of the Emperor. Opening off of this hall are two beautifully furnished salons, the one a library and the other a drawing-room. The next three rooms are tilled with models, panoramic views and photographs showing the work of the Austrian Imperial Rail and Waterway Commission. The remaining six rooms are filled with works of art from the two Kunstgewerbe schools and the four art societies of Austria, Poland and Bohemia. The cost of the building alone was $50.000.

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Among the many beautiful apartments in the Austrian Pavilion, the easternmost is one of the choicest. It exhibits the works of the Society of Artists of Vienna, which are entered and catalogued as part of the general collection of of art works, though not shown in the Art Palace because of lack of space. The bronze figure in the center of the room is that of the Emperor Rudolph of Hapsburg, by Wilhelm Seib, who also executed the marble bust of Christ at the ri°Tit Between the latter work and the bronze statue of Beethoven is “The Mill Pond,” painted by Hugo Darnaut and above this is an excellent still life by Hugo Charlemont. On the same wall is Robert Russ' fine picture, "Near Salo". In the corner of the room is a portrait by Victor Scharf. "The Flight into Egypt" by Charles Wilda, is placed on the lower part of the wall at the extreme left of the illustration.
Above it is the splendid decorative panel by Eduard Lebiedzki from the Parlement House at Vienna. The center of the painting is held by the figure symbolic of Austria, and the other figures are those of the many states composing the empire. It is effectively done, and is the crowning glory of a perfectly furnished room.

Austria is the leading exponent of the Art Nouveau, and in the Pavilion itself and its many rooms are found expressions of the new art.


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