Abstract (eng)
Next to a literary analysis which illustrates the academic literature on the research subject of Wiener Moderne as well as portrays the era itself, this paper is concerned with the politico-cultural aspect of the epoch Vienna 1900. The cultural phenomenon of Wiener Moderne combines economic, political, social, and cultural impacts of the long 19th century which led to a cultural heyday in Vienna, with hardly any comparable situation anywhere else. A generation, emerging from the newly developed 19th century Bourgeoisie, succeeded, through their outstanding creative and academic works, to interest society in them and hence led the way to modernity. The creators and artists of the time dealt with political and socially important influences and tried to find their true identity through artistic-aesthetic experiences and live out their creativity in a world of instability.
This paper finds answers to the questions if, firstly, in the era of Wiener Moderne modernizing tendencies were already perceived as such at the fin-de-siècle and if they were understood as cultural phenomenon. Secondly, culture and policy where connected and applied to the cultural phenomenon of Wiener Moderne and it is explored to what extent cultural and political aspects played together during that time. Finally, the question why the generation of the 1860ies could create such a cultural phenomenon is answered. In the course of the portrayal, some concrete examples are given that shall clarify the developments. The salon of Bertha Zuckerkandl will be given a closer look in the context of the intellectual circles and salon culture; furthermore, the institutionalized and political role of the opera house of Vienna is investigated as an example of the link between culture and politics. Lastly, cultural transfer and migration of cultural talents within the Habsburg Monarchy will be illustrated through the example of Gustav Mahler. Some pictures of the cultural elite of Vienna 1900 society show their friendly relations between different professions that especially characterize modernity in Vienna.