Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt Style: Art Nouveau & Symbolism Gustav Klimt Style: Art Nouveau & Symbolism P.O.B: Baumgarten, Austria Birth: 1862Death: 1918 Is known for: being a painter of women. Klimt’s primary subject was the female body. He was much criticized for his work for his three large paintings for the University of Vienna. Paintings were deemed too radical and were not displayed. These paintings were later destroyed by Nazi’s in the 1940’s. He wore a large robe in his studio and had numerous children (14) by various women. He never married. He befriended Emilie Floge and was by his side at his death bed at his request.

“The Kiss” 1907, medium: oil on canvas Description 1. By far, Klimt’s most famous painting. The painting depicts a couple. The man is covered in an ornamented robe embracing the women who is kneeling and both bodies become lost. This painting best demonstrates the Gold Phase in which Klimt uses gold leaf to adorn a painting. It is rumored that “The Kiss” is a portrait of Klimt and Emilie.

Klimt’s Landscapes

Adele Bloch-Bauer 1907: Medium:Oil on Canvas Description 2. Shows a woman seated wearing a highly decorative dress. It’s a portrait of Adele Bloch- Bauer. She is a collector of his work. This is another painting from his Gold Phase. Dress is made up of rectangles and eye shaped motifs. Klimt painted her twice and other paintings have similar facial features.

Other Klimt Work

Objects with Klimt Art