Bird-Shaped Promises and Life After War: ‘Dagobert Peche: Ornamental Genius’ at the Neue Galerie

Valeria Salvin | The Science Survey | 3rd February 2026

Paris has dominated the history of modernism, thus obscuring achievements elsewhere. Vienna Werkstätte was born out of the Arts and Crafts movement and emphasised simplicity and (geometric) clarity of shape in decorative arts objects. Peche, an Austrian designer, changed that with imaginative and opulent designs, inspired by the rococco. His creations ranged across metalwork, ceramics, textiles, wallpaper and jewellery. Peche was “the greatest ornamental genius Austria has produced since the Baroque”.