Architecture and Truth in Fin-de-Si Cle Vienna

Leslie Topp investigates how truth in Viennese architecture at the turn of the twentieth century could be interpreted in a variety of ways including truth to purpose symbolist or ideal truth and ethical notions of authenticity. Drawing on newly uncovered archival materials Topp offers a new interpretation of familiar buildings demonstrating how they encompass utopianism hyper-rationality and subjectivism. She also explores the relationship between Viennese modern architecture and contemporary painting psychiatry fashion labor issues and anti-Semitic politics.