The Albertina Museum in Vienna is presenting a groundbreaking autumn exhibition titled "Gothic Modern," which explores the profound influence of medieval techniques and themes on modern artists. This ambitious undertaking sheds new light on how contemporary creators drew inspiration from centuries-old artistic traditions, challenging conventional perceptions of modernism.
Upon entering the exhibition space, visitors are immediately transported into what feels like a dimly lit church interior. At first glance, little appears modern in this carefully curated environment. Black walls display what appear to be medieval tapestries alongside etchings from the early 16th century, while light filters through magnificently crafted church windows into the darkened room.
The exhibition features remarkable examples of artistic continuity across centuries. One stained glass window depicts the Savior and originates from Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, created around 1390. Remarkably, the adjacent glass painting showing the biblical figure Abel was created an entire 500 years later, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Gothic artistic traditions.
Modern artists frequently embraced death and vanitas motifs that had been popular throughout art history. Vincent van Gogh's "Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette" from 1886, housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, exemplifies the humorous approach many contemporary artists took toward these traditionally somber themes. This piece, part of the Van Gogh Foundation collection, illustrates how modern creators reimagined classical mortality symbols with wit and irreverence.
The "Gothic Modern" exhibition represents an impressive scholarly endeavor to trace the connections between medieval craftsmanship and modern artistic expression. By juxtaposing works separated by centuries, the Albertina demonstrates that the influence of Gothic art extended far beyond the Middle Ages, continuing to inspire and inform artistic creation well into the modern era.
