Stella Rollig Books

A celebration of the work of Finnish national hero Akseli Gallen-Kallela and his depictions of Finland's people, myths and landscape. Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) was Finland's most famous progressive artist around 1900 and a major figure in international modern art. At the turn of the century, Finland was a grand duchy striving for independence from Russian rule. Gallen-Kallela's depictions of Finland's people, myths, and nature played a key role in forming a national identity. At the same time, his modern visual language, developed in constant dialogue between Finnish sources of inspiration and influences from artistic centres such as Paris, Berlin, London and Vienna, brought him international acclaim. This English-Finnish bilingual catalogue invites readers to explore these fascinating interactions in Gallen-Kallela's artistic engagement with his country and its people, the Finnish national epic Kalevala, the idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) and the Nordic landscape. The international dimension of Gallen-Kallela's art is showcased by shining a spotlight on his contributions to the Vienna Secession exhibitions of 1901/02 and 1904. The catalogue accompanies an exhibition at the Belvedere, Vienna, in collaboration with the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki.

This anniversary publication celebrates the Belvedere in Vienna, highlighting its evolution over three centuries as a museum. Originally constructed by Prince Eugene of Savoy to boost his status, the Upper Belvedere transitioned under Maria Theresa into one of the first public museums globally. The establishment of the Modern Gallery in the Lower Belvedere in 1903 aimed to present Austrian art within an international framework, a vision that remains central to the institution today. Esteemed authors delve into timeless questions that span different eras, such as the ordering concepts in art presentation, the contemporary relevance of these displays in a global context, and the target audience for such exhibitions. This critical homage reflects on the Belvedere's rich artistic history and its significance as a cultural landmark. The exhibition runs until January 7, 2024, featuring contributions from a diverse group of scholars and artists, including Johanna Aufreiter, Björn Blauensteiner, and many others, each offering unique insights into the museum's legacy and its role in the art world.

Gustav Klimt’s 1907 publication of his illustrated edition of Lucian’s ancient work Dialogues of the Courtesans was the first time he exhibited his erotic art to the public, and it led to his denouncement by censors disturbed by the work’s graphic content. This volume revives Klimt’s masterful book, which pairs his erotic drawings with Wiener Werkstätte design, and which arguably resulted in the Art Nouveau era’s most beautiful book. Klimt and Antiquity also compares the red- and blackfigure Attic vases dating from the 5th century with Klimt’s art. It presents Klimt’s antiquity-inspired art as a dialogue between contemporary and ancient art, between genders, and between women’s roles in times of antiquity and modernity. Essays explore Klimt’s interest in ancient art; the ancient role of the courtesan; and the phenomenon of the Greek symposium as fertile ground for Greek art.

The medium of video has achieved a dominating role in 21st-century art. This study of the phenomenon emphasizes the investigation of female identity in video art. This visual anthology features essays by Stella Rollig, Ruth Noack, Anna Harding and Yvonne Volkart.

The 300th birthday of Empress Maria Theresa provides an opportunity to examine her outstanding interest in the fine arts. At the invitation of the reforming monarch a large number of painters, sculptors and other artists in Austria and abroad found a wealth of work opportunities. Correspondingly, this era has left its mark on the countries of the former Habsburg monarchy to this day. Maria Theresa pursued an individual approach with regard to cultural policy. She was interested in reform not only in education, but also in the field of art. She commissioned contemporary artists and helped portrait painting to a new upswing, leading not least to the international consolidation of the newly formed House of Habsburg-Lorraine. This was the function also fulfilled by the allegorical paintings and ceiling frescoes for which impressive cartoons have survived. Landscape painting was highly esteemed, and finally outstanding masterpieces were produced in sculpture and three-dimensional works, for example by Balthasar Ferdinand Moll and Franz Xaver Messerschmidt. Exhibition: Unteres Belvedere, Vienna, Austria (30.06.-05.11.2017)

Venedig - Kaum eine andere Stadt hat sich so tief in das kollektive Bewusstsein der Welt eingeschrieben. Stadt der Träume, Stadt der Romantik, aber auch eine Stadt, die besonders gefährdet erscheint. Viele Fragen die sich uns heute gerade zu letzterem Punkt stellen, etwa die Bewahrung der Bausubstanz Venedigs, die Gefahren des Massentourismus, die Musealisierung der Stadt, haben ihren Anfang bereits im 19.Jahrhundert. Die vorliegende Publikation widmet sich speziell dieser Periode von 1800 bis 1900, vom Ende der venezianischen Republik bis zur Gründung der Kunstbiennale. Zahlreiche Essays beleuchten die Stadt aus dem Blickwinkel von Geschichte, Politik, bildender Kunst, Literatur bis hin zu Filmproduktionen, die im Venedig des 19.Jahrhunderts spielen. Einen Schwerpunkt bilden dabei die komplexen Beziehungen zwischen Venedig und der österreichischen Monarchie, unter deren Herrschaft Venetien von 1815 bis 1866 stand.