The Association of Visual Artists Vienna Secession published its own art journal, Ver Sacrum, from 1898 through 1903. The name comes from Latin and means "sacred Spring." The message goes: "The sacred spring of art began with the Secession!"

The Secession building had its own editorial office for the magazine, the "Ver Sacrum" Room. Where the magazine published 2 issues per month. In 1903, an annual subscription for all 24 issues cost 50 crowns.

Gustav Klimt also participated in the design of Ver Sacrum and created around 20 original designs for the magazine. For the third issue of the magazine's first year, 1898, he provided many illustrations, including a drawing of his newly completed painting "Nuda Veritas."

The first issue of 1901 contains a calendar page for the month of January, which is also by Klimt. For this portrait, Klimt chose the Greek god, Saturn, to whom a nude woman—the New Year—turns, and from which a clothed woman—the Old Year—turns away.