High-Backed Armchair from the Livingroom of the Eisler von Terramare Apartment, 1903

Koloman Moser (1868–1918) was commissioned in 1902 by the newlywed couple Hans and Gerta Eisler von Terramare to create the complete interior design for their spacious apartment on Vienna’s Schottenring. It would be the most luxurious interior decoration designed by Moser. In keeping with the idea of a Gesamtkunstwerk, or universal work of art, Moser selected uniform colors and shapes throughout the apartment. The furnishings are testament to the exacting standards of modern Viennese design, characterized by the very best workmanship, an upholding of traditional craftsmanship and the use of exquisite materials. The reduced geometrical design vocabulary that was typical for Moser from 1900 is already clearly apparent here. The items of furniture were executed by the carpenter Caspar Hrazdil and the court carpenter J. W. Müller, and are almost consistently characterized by orthogonal shapes as well as understated planar decorations made from premium thuja and satinwood veneers.

Text Leopold Museum