Dagobert Peche: Ornamental Genius
Exhibition

Dagobert Peche: Ornamental Genius

Oct 9, 2025 — May 4, 2026

A spotlight on one of the greatest Austrian decorative artists of his generation, featuring approximately 50 objects.

Dagobert Peche
Photograph by unknown, 1920
Image courtesy Neue Galerie New York

Dagobert Peche Photograph by unknown, 1920 Image courtesy Neue Galerie New York
Dagobert Peche Photograph by unknown, 1920 Image courtesy Neue Galerie New York

Dagobert Peche
Photograph by unknown, 1920
Image courtesy Neue Galerie New York

“Dagobert Peche: Ornamental Genius” is the first exhibition devoted to this significant figure since the Neue Galerie’s seminal exhibition of his work in 2002. This show will feature approximately 50 works, including objects from the museum’s holdings alongside loans from local private collections. A highlight of this show is the inclusion of objects that can be traced to the Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshops) of America, the firm’s short-lived Fifth Avenue showroom that was open from 1922-23.

Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) was one of the greatest Austrian decorative artists of his generation. Peche studied architecture at his father’s behest, even though he preferred to be a painter. Peche first made an impact on the Viennese art scene in 1911 when he met architect Josef Hoffmann, who was a cofounder of both the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte. Peche’s earliest textile designs for the firm date to that year, and they include floral patterns such as Einsame Blume (Lonely Flower), Danaeblume (Danae’s Flower), and Gletscherblume (Glacier Flower). He officially joined the Wiener Werkstätte in the spring of 1915 but was called up for military service in October 1916. Following a case of appendicitis, Peche was relieved of duty and dispatched to lead the Zürich branch of the Wiener Werkstätte in 1917.

Peche had a passion for the decorative, and he produced interiors and objects of incredible imagination and whimsy. A devotee of nature, Peche reinvented motifs from the natural world, including fanciful animals and fruits, often adorned with sinuous vines, as exemplified by his fantasy bird from 1920. Such ornate handcrafted silver objects are among the most splendid works produced by the Wiener Werkstätte. References to Greek mythology, especially figures from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, such as Daphne—a nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape the amorous attention of Apollo—are another leitmotif. The act of evolving from one state to another was an ongoing interest and a defining characteristic of his style.

At the end of 1919, Peche returned to Vienna and lived in impoverished conditions. During this period, Peche experimented with modest materials of a more ephemeral nature, such as paper and other items, which were employed to craft holiday ornaments and toys. He suffered from failing health and died at the age of 36 due to cancer. In a tribute published after his death, Hoffmann praised Peche as the “greatest ornamental genius Austria has produced since the Baroque.” With this exhibition, we honor Peche’s indomitable creative spirit. 

“Dagobert Peche: Ornamental Genius” is organized by Neue Galerie New York. This exhibition is curated by Janis Staggs, Director of Curatorial, Neue Galerie New York.

LEARN MORE

Dive further into the world of Dagobert Peche and Wiener Werkstätte design with related reading suggestions, available in the Neue Galerie Book Store:

Wiener Werkstätte Jewelry by Janis Staggs

Wiener Werkstätte, 1903-1932: The Luxury of Beauty by Christian Witt-Dorring and Janis Staggs

Dagobert Peche and the Wiener Werkstätte by Peter Noever

SELECTED WORKS

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Tea and coffee service, 1922-23
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, ivory, turquoise
Neue Galerie New York
Partial gift of Isabella del Frate Rayburn
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Mirror frame, 1922
Execution: Max Welz for the Wiener Werkstätte
Linden-wood, carved, painted white and gilt
Neue Galerie New York
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Jardinière, ca. 1919
Exhibition: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, partial gilt
Neue Galerie New York
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Chandelier, 1920
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Gilt-brass
Neue Galerie New York
Gift of Robert and Donna Goodman
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Bird-shaped candy box, 1920
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, coral
Neue Galerie New York

Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Tea and coffee service, 1922-23 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, ivory, turquoise Neue Galerie New York Partial gift of Isabella del Frate Rayburn Photo: Hulya Kolabas
Editha (Ditha) Moser  (1883-1969) Calendar, 1911
Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Jardinière, ca. 1919 Exhibition: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, partial gilt Neue Galerie New York Photo: Hulya Kolabas
Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Chandelier, 1920 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Gilt-brass Neue Galerie New York Gift of Robert and Donna Goodman Photo: Hulya Kolabas
Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Bird-shaped candy box, 1920 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, coral Neue Galerie New York
Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Tea and coffee service, 1922-23 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, ivory, turquoise Neue Galerie New York Partial gift of Isabella del Frate Rayburn Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Tea and coffee service, 1922-23
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, ivory, turquoise
Neue Galerie New York
Partial gift of Isabella del Frate Rayburn
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Editha (Ditha) Moser  (1883-1969) Calendar, 1911

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Mirror frame, 1922
Execution: Max Welz for the Wiener Werkstätte
Linden-wood, carved, painted white and gilt
Neue Galerie New York
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Jardinière, ca. 1919 Exhibition: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, partial gilt Neue Galerie New York Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Jardinière, ca. 1919
Exhibition: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, partial gilt
Neue Galerie New York
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Chandelier, 1920 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Gilt-brass Neue Galerie New York Gift of Robert and Donna Goodman Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Chandelier, 1920
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Gilt-brass
Neue Galerie New York
Gift of Robert and Donna Goodman
Photo: Hulya Kolabas

Dagobert Peche (1887-1923) Bird-shaped candy box, 1920 Execution: Wiener Werkstätte Silver, coral Neue Galerie New York

Dagobert Peche
(1887-1923)
Bird-shaped candy box, 1920
Execution: Wiener Werkstätte
Silver, coral
Neue Galerie New York