Student Artwork Guide

Name Class Date

Koloman Moser, Dancer (1903). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist: Koloman Moser originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/koloman-moser/
Artist’s dates: 1868 – 1918
Painted: 1903
Original size: 21 x 23 cm
Movement: Art Nouveau Flowing, plant-like curves running through everything from paintings to lamps and doorways.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Koloman Moser died in 1918; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1988.

Dancer — Koloman Moser

How big is it?

The original measures 21 × 23 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 50 at death.

Painted when the artist was 35. The artist lived to 50. 58 of the 153 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Koloman Moser (1868–1918) ▲ this work, 1903 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1899 Main working years: 1899–1912 Late works: from 1912

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Self Portrait in Colonial Dress, 1910 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-self-portrait-in-colonial-dress-8YDU3P-en/
Poster of the Beethoven sonatas evening, 1908 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-poster-of-the-beethoven-sonatas-evening-8XYDUC-en/
Loïe Fuller in the Dance , 1902 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-loie-fuller-in-the-dance-D3WV8B-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Espresso #373635

Catalogued palette

#373635
#D6CCC4
#B48B7D
#695F59

These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

Palette: Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Espresso
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Where in the world is this painting looked at?

under 1%
1–3%
3–8%
8–20%
20% and over

This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Koloman Moser over the last twelve months — 10 countries in all. Where these figures come from

The ten leading countries

1 China 66.0%
2 Germany 7.5%
3 Hong Kong 6.6%
4 Singapore 5.7%
5 United States of America 5.7%
6 Brazil 4.7%
7 Armenia 0.9%
8 France 0.9%
9 Italy 0.9%
10 Ukraine 0.9%

Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

The 20 most looked-at works by Koloman Moser

1 Fabric design for Backhausen, 1899 7.6%
2 Semmering Landscape 6.8%
3 Self Portrait in Colonial Dress, 1910 5.9%
4 Design for the bill of 50 crowns, 1911 4.2%
5 Poster for Fromme's Calendar, 1899 3.4%
6 Loïe Fuller in the Dance, 1902 3.4%
7 Picture book for the niece of Ditha Mautner von Markhof, 1904 3.4%
8 Poster for 'Prince Richard Metternich', 1899 2.5%
9 Decorative Fabric [“Bird Bülow”], 1900 2.5%
10 Drafts for metal relief, 1904 2.5%
11 Sketch of emblem to 'Ver Sacrum', 1898 2.5%
12 Clash of the Titans, 1915 2.5%
13 Ornamental Box, 1906 2.5%
14 Poster of the Beethoven sonatas evening, 1908 1.7%
15 Portrait of a Woman in Profile, 1912 1.7%
16 Backhausen Interior Texiles, 1899 1.7%
17 Dancer, 1903 this painting 1.7%
18 Parrot tulips bloomed, 1910 1.7%
19 Picture book for the niece of Ditha Mautner von Markhof, 1904 1.7%
20 Study of Portrait of Venus in the Grotto, 1914 0.8%

Together these works take 60.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 167 works by this artist, of which 66 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 17 of them, with 1.7% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

Dancer — Koloman Moser

The painting "Dancer" by Koloman Moser is a stunning example of Art Nouveau, created in 1903. This beautiful piece measures 21 x 23 cm and showcases the artist's skill in capturing the essence of movement and elegance. The dancer, with her long hair and checkered dress, appears to be lost in thought, adding an air of mystery to the painting.

Artistic Style and Influences

Koloman Moser's work is characterized by its unique blend of Art Nouveau and Secessionist styles. The use of flowing lines, organic forms, and a muted color palette creates a sense of harmony and balance in the painting. The artist's attention to detail and ability to capture the subtleties of human emotion are reminiscent of other notable artists, such as Edgar Degas and his famous sculpture, Great Arabesque, which can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The "Dancer" painting is not just a beautiful representation of a woman, but also a symbol of freedom and creativity. The flowers in the background add a touch of color and vibrancy to the scene, representing the beauty and joy of life. This interpretation is similar to the symbolism found in the works of Paul Gauguin, such as his painting Ondine, which explores themes of mythology and nature.

The use of black and white in the painting creates a sense of timelessness and elegance.

The dancer's pose and expression convey a sense of introspection and contemplation.

The flowers in the background add a touch of color and vibrancy to the scene, representing the beauty and joy of life.

Handmade oil painting reproductions of "Dancer" by Koloman Moser can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com, allowing art lovers to own a piece of history and beauty. The Leo Baeck Institute in New York also features notable artworks, including paintings by Hermann Struck, such as Jerusalem, Russian Building II. For more information on Art Nouveau and its notable artists, visit AllPaintingsStore.com or Wikipedia.org.

The "Dancer" painting is a testament to the beauty and elegance of Art Nouveau, and its captivating charm continues to inspire art lovers to this day.

Artist

Koloman Moser

Born in Vienna, Croatia

Early Life and Education

Koloman Moser, born on March 30, 1868, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now part of Croatia), was a pivotal figure in the Austrian art scene, particularly renowned for his contributions to graphic art and as a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement. His artistic journey began with formal studies at the Wiener Akademie and the Kunstgewerbeschule, where he later became an instructor from 1899 onwards. This academic foundation proved crucial in shaping his versatile career across various mediums. Moser’s family background influenced his early exposure to art and design, fostering a keen eye for detail and aesthetics that would define his artistic style.

Artistic Contributions: A Multifaceted Career

Graphic Art: Moser's impact on graphic art is undeniable. He designed postage stamps, magazine vignettes, and other printed materials with distinctive geometric patterns and stylized imagery. His designs were characterized by their clarity, elegance, and innovative use of typography.

Fashion and Applied Arts: Beyond graphic design, Moser’s talent extended to fashion, stained glass windows, porcelains, ceramics, blown glass, tableware, silver, and jewelry. This demonstrates his commitment to integrating art into everyday life.

Architecture: His architectural designs, most notably the apse mosaic and glass windows for the Kirche am Steinhof in Vienna (1904), showcase his ability to blend artistic vision with functional design. These works are considered masterpieces of Art Nouveau architecture.

The Wiener Werkstätte and Collaborative Spirit

In 1903, Moser co-founded the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) alongside Josef Hoffmann. This collaborative workshop aimed to create aesthetically pleasing household goods by uniting artists and craftsmen. The Wiener Werkstätte championed a philosophy of “Gesamtkunstwerk” – total work of art – where every aspect of an object, from its design to its production, was carefully considered. Moser’s involvement in the Wiener Werkstätte solidified his commitment to functional beauty and elevated the status of applied arts.

Influences, Development, and Legacy

Moser's artistic development was influenced by several key movements, including Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and the Vienna Secession. He drew inspiration from Japanese woodblock prints, which informed his use of flat planes of color and simplified forms. His style evolved over time, becoming increasingly abstract and geometric while retaining a sense of elegance and refinement. Moser’s legacy is cemented by his designs being immortalized on the Austrian 100 Euro Steinhof Church commemorative coin (2005), recognizing his enduring influence on art and design. He died in Vienna in 1918, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to inspire artists and designers today. His contributions helped shape the course of modern art and design, emphasizing the importance of integrating beauty into everyday objects and spaces.

Where to read more

The artist Koloman Moser originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/koloman-moser/
Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Dancer

originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Moser, Koloman. Dancer. 1903, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/
APA: Moser, Koloman (1903). Dancer [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/
Chicago: Koloman Moser. Dancer. 1903. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/
Harvard: Moser, Koloman (1903) Dancer. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/koloman-moser-dancer-8XYDSF-en/

Dancer — Koloman Moser

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Our catalogue files this work under: music. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
Look back at Self Portrait in Colonial Dress (1910), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Art Nouveau: Flowing, plant-like curves running through everything from paintings to lamps and doorways. Where can you see that in this work?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

Questions & Answers

Why is the copyright status of "Dancer" what it is?

"Dancer" by Koloman Moser is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright terms are measured from the artist's death, and Koloman Moser died in 1918.

In which movement and which era is "Dancer" by Koloman Moser placed?

"Dancer" belongs to the Art Nouveau movement, and its creator worked in the 19th-Century era.

Can I use augmented reality to see "Dancer" by Koloman Moser in my room?

"Dancer" has an augmented reality preview: the artwork's AR Preview page shows it in your own space on a compatible device.