Fat House 2003

A more mixed day, weather wise, today.  Heavy downpour late morning but by then we were well ensconced in the Belvedere - many thanks for the recommendation Feorlean!

A great range of art from all ages with Monet, Renoir, Schiele and the strange head sculptures by Messerschmidt.  But above all Klimt and the famous "The Kiss". Some of his works before the turn of the 19th century have an exquisite detail and light.  His faces have a luminescent skin.  Then as his style changes in the early 1900s the designs and use of colour explode with abstract patterns which at times seem to be drawn from his paintings of flowers and poppies and fields. And the way in which he subsequently paints skin with a mottled blend of colours is a complete change. I am no art expert, but really enjoyed the visit.  

After an enjoyable lunch we toured the gardens.  At the front of the Belvedere was an installation - Fat House 2003 by the Austrian artist - Erwin Wurm.  He takes objects and makes them obese!  The extra shows the context.  The blip is of the view from inside looking out and is my favourite photo of the day from hundreds, including many of the exterior and interior of Karlskirche.  I should reactivate my Instagram account to post them!

Just underneath the dome which you can get up to by lift and stairs as they are renovating it, I met a student from my old school who is studying for a year in Vienna under the Erasmus programme. He was wearing a jacket with the school emblem on it which made identification possible!  Even so - small world.