The Beethoven Frieze is a painting by Gustav Klimt on display in the Secession Building, Vienna, Austria. In 1901, Klimt painted the Beethoven Frieze for the 14th Vienna Secessionist exhibition in celebration of the composer. Meant for the exhibition only, the frieze was painted directly on the walls with light materials. The frieze illustrates human desire for happiness in a suffering and tempestuous world in which one contends not only with external evil forces but also with internal weaknesses.