Written by George
Born in the 19th century under an Imperial Austrian nation, Gustav Klimt was one of the most notable members of the Vienna Secession movement. He was a skilled artist who practiced several art forms such as paintings, sketches, objet d’art and murals. Klimt’s paintings often depicted the female body as a subject. He was influenced by the Japanese art during his early days as an artist and his painting display bold eroticism. In 1897 Klimt founded the Wiener Sezession (Vienna Secession Movement) which was a group of Austrian artists, painters, architects and sculptors who resigned from the Association of Austrian Artists and formed their own group.
His early artistic career was more of a skilled architect and he was known to paint some impressive architectural decorations. When it comes to Gustav Klimt’s paintings, it’s mostly about women depicted in a very erotic manner to what some can call pornographic. Gustav Klimt’s art was mostly ignored by most of the 20th century due to his works being criticized as pornographic as evidenced by his works on the ceilings of the Great Hall inside the University of Vienna. His work however has now been recognized due to the rise of Symbolism. Let us have a look at some of Klimt’s most notable works.
1. Pallas Athena
From Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Painted in 1898, the Pallas Athena was unveiled to the public during the November exhibition of the Vienna Secession. The painting depicts the Greek goddess Athena dressed and ready for battle. The depiction of the Greek goddess differs from the traditional imagery of Athena and differs at notable places. The shield of Athena usually bears the symbol of Medusa’s head but in Klimt’s depiction the shield bears a grotesque looking head with its tongue sticking out. Athena’s head stares with a sharp, piercing gaze right at the viewer with her slightly raised jaw providing a more empowering look to her already formidable posture. The spear that Athena holds in her left hand, extends beyond the limits of the frame also displays her bold strength.
2. The Golden Knight
From Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Painted by Klimt in 1902, the Golden Knight is also known as ‘Life is a Struggle’ and is one of the finest examples of Allegorical Art Nouveau. The golden Knight is a satirical take on the life of a Knight who despite all his Glory and Glamour, is a mortal and leads a life full of struggle. Gustav Klimt shows his poetic side with the Golden Knight as it depicts a Knight in a shining golden armor, seated on a horse with his head held high. The upper portion of the Knight’s head is cut by the frame which also depicts the fact that the knight is not interested in the earthly thoughts but knows the life is fragile and his dreams are of conquering life and beauty. The painting is currently displayed at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art in Nagoya.
3. Der Blinde
From Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Gustav Klimt was known mostly for his paintings depicting women, but between 1896 and 1898, Gustav Klimt painted several men portraits of which the Blind man or Der Blinde is the most popular. The portrait was released to the public titled as the Study of The Head of a Blind Man. The painting depicts an old man with white hair, dressed in 19th century clothes, that is labeled as blind. The painting unlike other Klimt’s works isn’t really evident of the Japanese influence, but displays a heavier Art Nouveau influence. The backdrop of the portrait is dark to emphasize on the fact that the old man is blind. The eyes of the old man turn into a stare that gazes right into the viewer’s eyes, causing a sense of illusion that the old man might be looking at the viewer. The dark backdrop helps the viewer understand the title of the painting that the old man who is staring right into their eyes is actually blind.
4. Garden With Chickens in St. Agatha
From Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A much needed exception in Klimt’s painting collection, the Garden with Chickens was painted by Klimt in 1899. The painting features an unusual oblong format featured in several of Klimt’s paintings is evident of the influences from the Japanese style. The colors in the painting are mainly shades of green, blue, black and brown. The painting depicts a typical garden with trees in the backdrop and visible sky from the clearing in the back. The foreground shows lush green grassland with several chickens scattered around. This was painted during the time Klimt was in Upper Austria in the locality of St Agatha.
5. Portrait of Fritza Riedler
From Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The painting is known to be one of Klimt’s most exhibited works and was painted by him in 1906. Another portrait depicting a woman dressed in Japanese styled European wear, the Portrait of Fritza Riedler is evident of the geometrizing phase in the life of Gustav Klimt. The woman depicted in the portrait is featured in a very inconsistent dress with plasticity of her hands and face. The style of painting also depicts the high emphasis on figurativism and Abstract style which was prevalent during the early 20th century. The armchair on which Lady Riedler sits is completely obscured by the numerous eye motifs which cover the upholstery of the armchair providing a 3-dimensional look.
Klimt’s works crosses two totally different genres with a clear emphasis on Japanese style art. The listed paintings are just few of his selected paintings. One can also check the various art related websites and blogs on the internet for a more detailed knowledge about Gustav Klimt’s work.
