Why it matters
Painted directly onto the walls of the Vienna Secession building for a 1902 Beethoven exhibition, Klimt's frieze begins with genii floating towards a knight who champions happiness, passes personified threats such as lust, and ends with a singing choir and a loving embrace that refers to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Did you know?
- It is 34 metres long and weighs four tons.
- It was meant only for the exhibition.
- It was inspired by Richard Wagner's interpretation of the Ninth Symphony.
- It combines Greek, Byzantine and Japanese styles with gold leaf.
Based on the Wikipedia article Beethoven Frieze (CC BY-SA 4.0).
