A journey into the landscapes depicted in the works of Austrian masters. Today we are going to Traunsee in Richard Gerstl’s painting.
Richard Gerstl Richard Gerstl is considered one of the most important and at the same time mysterious artists in Vienna in the 20th century. The author committed suicide in 1908 at the age of 25. Although he left behind less than 100 works, his abstract and powerful expressions are considered decades ahead of his time.
A place that frequently appears in Guestl’s works is Lake Traunsee. You can get a glimpse of his unique perspective just by looking at his works containing natural landscapes. Traunsee, which is considered the deepest lake in Austria with a water depth of 191m, is picturesquely located between the Traunstein Mountains and wide meadows and forests. Thanks to this, it has been considered the best resort from Roman times to the present. The Romans also called Lake Traun “Lacus felix,” meaning “happy lake.”
Lake Traun shines with different charms in each season. In summer, it becomes a paradise for water sports. The vast lake, which covers an area of 24.5 km², is crowded with people who enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, surfing, and water skiing. You can also ride a mountain bike or go trekking along the mountain path connected to the lake.
In winter, when white snow covers lakes and mountains, a completely different landscape unfolds. The Feuerkogel area turns into a stage for skiing and snowboarding. At the end of the year, a Christmas market is held, adding to the romance of the season. Cross-country enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to ski through postcard-like winter scenery.
Richard Gerstl, Traunsee with a sleeping ‘Greek woman’ ⓒLeopold Museum
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It is not only painters and musicians who have contributed to Vienna being called the ‘City of Art’. Collectors who recognize outstanding artists and works with their own unique insight have fostered art and made it a city of art.
Rudolf Leopold and Elisabeth Leopold were leading collectors in Austria. They collected over 5,200 works over their lifetime. They were deeply interested in turn-of-the-century Austrian modernist art and are also famous for having the largest collection of Egon Schiele’s works in the world. The Leopold Museum of Art was opened based on this vast collection.
The exhibition is an opportunity to view the works of the Leopold Museum in Korea. In the exhibition, you can meet the ‘dreaming artists’ representing Vienna 1900. You can see works by Gustav Klimt, Coloman Moser, Josef Hoffmann, Richard Gerstl, Oskar Kokoschka, and Egon Schiele.
Kim Eun-ah, Hankyung Magazine Reporter [email protected]