In 1897 Gustav Klimt led a group of Viennese artists, dissatisfied with the policies of the city's artistic establish ment, to form a group known as the Wiener Secession. They issued a periodical called 'Ver Sacrum' ('Sacred Springtime', in honour of the new era in Viennese art), which for the six years of its publication was the mouthpiece and showcase of Kolo Moser, Josef Hoffman. Alfred Roller, Carl Moll and others - and mirrored their activities, enthusiasms and artistic aims.

In the woodcuts, drawings and other illustrations they produced for the periodical, these artists developed and publicized their own style, distinguished by the elements and attitudes that later characterized Art Nouveau and Jugendstil. 'Ver Sacrum' saw the development of a relationship between art and design which has been a major influence in a wide variety of fields ever since.

This comprehensive cross-section of graphic contributions to 'Ver Sacrum' gathers the best and most innovative of the periodical's style. Detailed biographies of the artists involved and numerous examples of their work demonstrate the unity of the group, while the 412 illustrations, many from the now rare 'founders' issue', provide visual evidence of the importance of these few years in modern art history. An index includes all artists whose work appeared in 'Ver Sacrum', and there is a list of everything exhibited by the Secession before Klimt left it to form a new group in 1905. Christian Nebehay is a Viennese authority on the Secession and a scholar of the work of Gustav Klimt.