I’ve never made a secret of my enthusiasm for the Neue Sachlichkeit/New Objectivity genre of early 20th century art, but until now my exposure has been limited to artists of Germany, such as George Grosz and Christian Schad. On my recent visit to Vienna I came across a few samples of the Austrian branch of this art, but alas, English-language material on these paintings and sculptures has been meagre.

If someone would care to put up the money for another trip to Vienna, I’d thank them for allowing me to visit PREMIERE!: The Oesterreichische Nationalbank Collection, running through October 11 at the Leopold Museum, which features a terrific selection of Austrian Neue Sachlichkeit, early 20th century geometrical and gestural abstraction, and figurative work. Franz Sedlacek’s painting at the head of this post is unsettling in a way that the German New Objectivists only sometimes achieve. According to the Leopold web site,

As a representative of Magical Realism, Sedlacek is often dubbed a “mystic of New Objectivity”. Working as a chemical scientist, the self-taught artist devoted his evenings to experimenting with painting, creating uncanny depictions. The effect of spatial depth, similar to that of a peep box, offers viewers the opportunity to delve into another world and to witness a surreal scene: Coziness gives way to trepidation, the apparently familiar becomes absurd.

As it is, I will have to settle for the digital exhibition of PREMIERE!, which as fine as it is leaves one hungry for more. I hope a few of my new Austrian friends will visit the exhibition and report back. In the meantime, I can dream.