Ver Sacrum

This book narrates the originality of the language of the legendary official magazine of the Vienna Secession, elaborated like actual manifestoes and a cornerstone of Modernity. The goal of Ver Sacrum was to give life to total works of art, the so-called Gesamtkunstwerk. That's why each issue had to be a work of art, a perfect representation of Secession ideals, extraordinarily epitomized by the covers. Ver Sacrum, which alludes to the Sacred Spring of ancient Latin people and their renewal rituals, was an absolutely original magazine that elaborated new forms of design, illustration and print/editorial composition. During its six years of activity, 471 original drawings were specifically made for the magazine, along with 55 lithographs and copper engravings and 216 block prints. Conceived by Gustav Klimt, Max Kurzweil and Ludwig Hevesi, the illustrated magazine was founded in 1898 and periodically published until 1903.