Georg Klimt Vienna Secession Pair Poetry & Strength Art Nouveau Reliefs, 1900s

A fine pair of Viennese Secession Art Nouveau relief panels by Georg Klimt (1867–1931), Vienna, around 1903. Depicting the allegories "Poesie" (Poetry), the left panel, a figure playing a harp or lyre, and "Stärke" (Strength), the right panel, a knight in armor with a sword. The reliefs were inspired by Gustav Klimt's Beethoven Frieze, the monumental wall painting in the Vienna Secession, a visionary depiction of humanity's longing for happiness. The panels feature the characteristic flat, linear style with ornamental spirals and patterns for which the Viennese Secession is world famous, along with the floral ornament typical of Jugendstil. They were originally used as ornamental door panels in a large, magnificent Secession bookcase designed by the renowned architect and designer Otto Prutscher and executed by Julius & Josef Herrmann, Vienna. Executed in copper, finely chased and chiselled, in very good original condition with a beautiful patina. Picture size: 10 × 10" Frame size: 13.75 × 13.75"

Georg Klimt, the youngest brother of Gustav Klimt, was renowned for his fine metalwork, which shows influences of the Viennese Secession and the Glasgow School. Alongside a number of everyday objects, he primarily created hand-crafted metal reliefs, both as independent works of art and as decorative panels for furniture. Many were commissioned by first-class Viennese cabinetmakers such as Michael Niedermoser and August Ungethüm. Professionally and elegantly framed.