Those of you who have been to my lectures might recognize this. I like to use it because not only is a great bit of ornament from one of my favorite buildings in a favorite epoch, but it represents the three most impactful Arts - Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture. The widely regarded “gorgon” quality of these allegories further symbolizes the protection of these Arts by reappropriating the shield (and sometimes breastplate) of Athena, the goddess of Wisdom, whose accessories are typically represented with a Gorgon Head - the gaze of which turns all to stone. However, these are more likely Masks, that which protect the wearer and contain identity. These are coupled with the two Ouroboroses (under Painting and Sculpture), which represent the unity of all things, birth and death, and the eternal cyclical nature of the universe. Notably, the third Snake under Architecture is still reaching for its tail. Some seriously cool content packed into a (relatively) small composition - that’s the power of ornament! . . #austria #vienna #wien #secession #viennesesecession #artnouveau #ornament #ornamentaldetail #architecture #architecturaldetail #architecturaldetails #ornamentation #ornamental #details #detail #olbrich #gorgon #gorgonhead #therearemoregorgonsthanmedusa #athena #painting #sculpture (at Secession Building, Vienna) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bren_L5latk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=no127b2wrbr5
