Otto Wagner (1841–1918) is one of the internationally influential figures of early modern architecture. Many of his buildings – including the Vienna City Railway, the Postal Savings Bank and the Church at Steinhof – are now considered key works of 20th-century architecture. They had shed their historical stylistic trappings and spoke a design language appropriate to "modern life," based on purpose, material and construction. In his early work, Wagner was influenced by the historicism of Vienna's Ringstrasse. From the late 1880s onwards, however, he became convinced – as the only one of his generation – that this architecture was at odds with the political, economic and social dynamics of his time. He set out his idea of "modern architecture" in 1896 in his eponymous treatise, which met with great acclaim and is now considered one of the most important and influential texts on architectural theory. Wagner achieved great influence not only through his buildings, but also through his teaching at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. In creative exchange with students decades younger than himself, he became the "father" of the Vienna Secession; at the same time, with the "Wagner School," he was able to train a whole group of modern architects according to his artistic ideas, thus ensuring the spread of his ideas. Around 1900, these ideas were so radically new that they provoked vehement opposition from the defenders of tradition. Wagner enjoyed his role as a provocateur, a fearless champion of modernism – and in doing so, he made many enemies.

Drawings played a central role in Wagner's commitment to consistent architectural renewal. Using the architect's traditionally most important medium, he created impressive images of a radiant future architecture long before the first modern buildings were erected. The compositionally sophisticated and technically elaborate sheets, which were created in Otto Wagner's studio under his guidance, are now considered masterpieces of architectural drawing. But they also mark the beginning of the visual propaganda for modern architecture that was to be continued after 1918 by the representatives of "New Building," primarily through the medium of photography. The exhibition at the Tchoban Foundation is the first show in Berlin dedicated to the work of Otto Wagner. At the same time, it is the first time in more than 60 years that the work of this pioneer of modern architecture has been shown in Germany. The location is well chosen, as Berlin played an important role for Wagner: during his studies at the Bauakademie, he became acquainted with the work of Karl Friedrich Schinkel, whose collection of architectural designs became a model for his own highly influential publication Einige Skizzen, Projekte und ausgeführte Bauwerke (Some Sketches, Projects and Completed Buildings). Wagner also took part in the competition for Berlin Cathedral and the Reichstag building and, in his examination of these significant historicist construction projects, developed model solutions for contemporary monumental architecture.

Drawing on selections from the Vienna Museum's comprehensive collection of over 1,000 sheets, the exhibition traces the principal stations and themes of Wagner's artistic journey. It spans from his little-known early historicist works through the spectacular projects of the Vienna Secession era to the radical, ornament-stripped buildings of his maturity—works that secured his seminal position in modern architecture. Beyond showcasing Wagner's architectural innovations, the exhibition examines the compositional and technical mastery of the drawings themselves and their strategic deployment as "paper weapons" in the struggle for modern design.

The exhibition is curated by Andreas Nierhaus, Architecture Curator at the Vienna Museum. An accompanying catalogue is available.

Tchoban Foundation. Museum for Architectural Drawing
Christinenstraße 18a, 10119 Berlin
On view: January 31 – May 17

www.tchoban-foundation.de