In 1897, Gustav Klimt and the Vienna Secession movement promoted innovative use of gold leaf and decorative elements in fine and applied arts, breaking from academic traditions. Their exhibitions celebrated artistic freedom. This influenced Art Nouveau and modernist aesthetics.

The Klimt and Secession Movement of 1897 aligned with Symbolist poetry's emphasis on aesthetic beauty and myth. Poets began to explore themes of visual art and emotional depth, reflecting the interconnectedness of artistic expression, as seen in the works of poets who drew inspiration from Klimt's evocative imagery.