This frieze was realised for the fifteenth exhibition of the Pavillon de la Sécession which was held from April 15th to June 27th 1902. The frieze's theme was inspried by Wagners' interpretation of Beethoven's ninth symphony.

Gustav Klimt was born on July 14th 1862 in the suburbs of Vienna. After having studied at the school of decoratif arts in Vienna, he founded the company of artists and started to receive comissions. From 1888, Klimt was a successful artist. For example, he won a gold medal at the Universal Exposition at Paris, a gold medal at the International Exposition at Rome in 1911. Breaking away from more classical artists, he participated in the founding of the Pavillon de la Sécession, at Vienna, of which he became the first president. Gustav Klimt died at the age of 55 year, on February 6th 1918.

The freize measures 34.14 metres long, and is made up of three sections: the central section measures 6.30 metres and the two panels on the left and right each measure 13.92 metres.

The freize is housed at the Pavillon de la Sécession, at Vienna.

Here are some pictures...

Aspiring to Happiness :
- left: "the suffering of feeble humanity" prays to the strong man;
- right: "the strong and well-armed man ", and behind him "ambition and compassion" who help to interpret the fight for happiness...

Middle Panel

"The powerful enemies":
the three gorgones, daughters of the giant Typhée and, behind them, illness, madness and death...

Middle panel

"The powerful enemies":
- left, the giant Typhée, a monsterous winged monkey who has a serpant's tail:
- right, shame, over-indulgence and sensual pleasure...

Middle panel

"The nibbling concern",
before the tale of Typhée...

Right-hand panel

"Aspiring to happiness finds rest in poetry"...

Right-hand panel

"The arts"...

The hymn of joy,
the choir of angels in Paradise :
"Joy, the beautiful spark of the gods"...

The hymn of joy:
"this kiss to the whole world"...