Tänzerin

1900–1902

The portfolio “Die Quelle” (“The Source”)

With Martin Gerlach and Carl Otto Czeschka he publishes the three-volume portfolio “Die Quelle” (“The Source”) of elegant graphic designs for tapestries, fabrics and wallpaper.

1903

Founds the Wiener Werkstätte

Together with Josef Hoffmann and the entrepreneur Fritz Waerndorfer he founds the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshops) to produce decorative and applied-art objects on the model of the Arts and Crafts movement. The workshops turn out glassware, flatware, rugs, textiles, graphic designs and eventually clothing, and become the new commercial standard for Viennese art.

summer 1903

Meets Ferdinand Hodler and Cuno Amiet

In the summer of 1903 he travels via Munich to Bern, where he meets Ferdinand Hodler, who will greatly influence his work (they meet in person twice), and Cuno Amiet; he then goes on to Basel, Paris, Bruges, Scheveningen, Antwerp, Lübeck and Hamburg.

September 1904

First Wiener Werkstätte exhibition in Berlin

In September 1904 he takes part in the first exhibition of the Wiener Werkstätte in Berlin.

1905

Leaves the Vienna Secession together with Klimt

Together with Gustav Klimt and other artists he leaves the Vienna Secession — reportedly over disagreements with Waerndorfer.

1 July 1905

Marries Editha (Ditha) Mautner von Markhof

He marries Editha (Ditha) Mautner von Markhof, the daughter of one of Austria's great industrialists and an artist in her own right; he then moves into an apartment at Landstraßer Hauptstraße 138, where he lives until his death.