This article is dedicated to today's event. On July 14, 2012, Gustav Klimt would have turned 150 years old.. Gustav Klimt is an Austrian artist, born on July 14, 1862. Many call him the founder of Austrian modernism. The artist painted mainly women, naked women. His paintings often contained overt eroticism.

Klimt's father was also an artist and a gold engraver. My mother dreamed of becoming a musician all her life, but it never worked out for her. There were 8 children in the Klimt family, Gustav was born second.

The child spent his childhood in poverty, despite his father’s good profession. There was no permanent job, so I had to go through financial difficulties. Gustav learned to draw from his father, but already in 1876 he entered the art and craft school, where his brother also entered in 1877. All three sons of Ernest Klimt became artists in the future.

The brothers worked together for a long time, decorating theaters, various buildings, and museums with frescoes. In 1888, Gustav received a well-deserved award - “ Golden cross"from Emperor Franz Joseph himself. Everything was going well, and things were looking up, but in 1892, Gustav Klimt’s father and brother died, and therefore the entire responsibility for providing for the family fell on the artist’s shoulders.

Gustav Klimt I wrote a lot, especially when he and his family went to Lake Attersee, and this was quite often. It was here that he completed his beautiful landscapes. This is the only genre that interested the artist, where people did not appear. But despite this, many scientists find human figures in Klimt’s landscapes, and there is some truth in this.

In 1894, Klimt received one of the large orders. It was necessary to paint 3 paintings that would decorate the ceiling of the University of Vienna. Thus, in 1900, “Philosophy”, “Medicine” and “Jurisprudence” were born. But society did not accept these paintings, considering them too explicit, and therefore they were not exhibited at the university. This was Klimt's last public commission.

Since the beginning of the 1900s, the so-called “ Golden period"artist's creativity. It was during this time that such paintings as “The Palace of Athena”, “Judith” and others were created. At this time, society adequately perceived Klimt’s works, but this is not the only reason why this period was called golden. The color of gold and gilding very often prevailed in the artist’s paintings, which fans of his work really liked.

Gustav Klimt led a normal life, worked a lot, and at home. He was famous artist, so orders came to him regularly, and he only took on interesting ones. Women posed for him with great pleasure, some of them were prostitutes. Klimt said that he was not interested in painting self-portraits; it was much more exciting to paint other personalities, and especially women. Gustav claimed that his paintings could say a lot about him, just by looking at them carefully.

February 6, 1918 biography of Gustav Klimt ends. He died of pneumonia, having previously suffered a stroke. He was buried in Vienna. Today is the 150th anniversary of the birth of this wonderful artist and this date should not go unnoticed. Well, as we promised, at the end of this article you can watch a video dedicated to the paintings of Gustav Klimt.

Paintings and biography
Gustav Klimt

Klimt Gustav (1862-1918), famous Austrian painter. One of the most prominent representatives of the Art Nouveau style. Born on the outskirts of Vienna in the family of an artist-engraver. Graduated from the Vienna School decorative arts. The artist's early works consisted mainly of large frescoes for theaters and were painted in a naturalistic style. In the paintings depicting allegorical figures, executed by Klimt in 1890-1891 on the vaults of the grand staircase of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the features that became fundamental in his work - a clear silhouette and a penchant for ornamentalism - first appear. After 1898, Gustav Klimt's works took on a more decorative, symbolic aspect.
Gustav Klimt was the leader of the Viennese avant-garde at the turn of the century. Being primarily a decorative artist, Klimt led the Viennese community of innovative artists "Secession" - a protest movement against the aesthetic conservatism and moralizing of the previous generation. The best pictures Klimt's later portraits are considered to be the artist's, with their flat, unshaded surfaces, transparent, mosaic-like colors and shapes, and sinuous, ornate lines and patterns. Klimt's paintings combine two opposing forces; on the one hand, there is a thirst for absolute freedom in the depiction of objects, which leads to play ornamental forms. These paintings by the artist are in fact symbolic and should be considered in the context of symbolism as an expression of an unattainable world that stands above time and reality. On the other hand, this is the power of perception of nature and nature, the influence of which softens the pomp of ornamentation in the paintings of Gustav Klimt. Among the most amazing works artist - panels for the "Burgtheater" in Vienna (1888), a series of mosaic frescoes in Pallas Stoclet, a rich private mansion in Brussels. By the end of his life in 1917, Klimt had won full official recognition, becoming an honorary professor at the Vienna and Munich Academies of Fine Arts.

Klimt Poppy field

Danae, 1907-1908
Private collection, Graz Poppy field, 1906
Austrian Gallery, Vienna
Klimt Palace Athena

Klimt Kammer Castle on Lake Attersee

Pallas Athene

1898
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

G. Klimt “Pallas Athena” (1898)

Klimt Austrian Country House

Kiss

1907-1908
Austrian Gallery, Vienna

Painting by Gustav Klimt “The Kiss”. In a field of flowers, a silhouette of a kissing couple emerges from ornaments and abstract shapes. The color of the painting is dominated by a golden tone interspersed with bright spots of wildflowers and rich patterns of clothing. The erotic character is given to the scene by sensual lines, lush ornamentation and spicy coloring - a symbol of luxury and decadence. This style is often called Art Nouveau. Klimt painted a large number of portraits, mostly of women, as well as mythological and allegorical compositions. Gustav Klimt's designs for applied art and mosaics were a huge success, but the artist's wall paintings for the University of Vienna caused a scandal and were considered "pornographic" by art critics of the early twentieth century. Gustav Klimt died in 1918.

Secession (German Sezession, from Latin secessio - withdrawal, separation), the name of associations of artists in Munich, Vienna, Berlin, who rejected academic doctrines and acted as heralds of the Art Nouveau style. The Vienna Secession arose in 1897 and united artists of the Austrian Art Nouveau style - Sezessionsstil - around the magazine Ver Sacrum, founded in 1898. The magazine was also the organ of the Austrian literary symbolism(Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Rainer Maria Rilke). The association was led by the painter Gustav Klimt. Characteristic Features This style for painting was mosaic multicolor and sophisticated ornamentation, for graphics - geometric clarity of the design with its overall free decorativeness, for architecture - rhythmic orderliness of divisions, laconic decor, rationality of compositional and constructive solutions. The masters of this style (Joseph Maria Olbrich, Otto Wagner, Joseph Hofmann, Karl Moser and other artists) were distinguished by their attraction to rectilinear ornamentation, which retained geometric rigidity even in the most complex combinations. In this regard, the “secession style” is sometimes called the “square style” (Quadratstill).

"Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" (1907) - painting Gustav Klimt. Also known as "Golden Adele" or " Austrian Mona Lisa". The painting is considered one of the most significant paintings by Klimt and the Austrian Art Nouveau in general.

According to press reports, in 2006 the painting was purchased for a record amount for a work of painting, $135 million. American entrepreneur Ronald Lauder for the company he founded New gallery in NYC.

Description

The face and hands, realistically painted in cold colors, are the visual dominant in the perception of the picture, standing out against the background of other elements executed ornamentally. The composition of the canvas is divided into two vertical parts: on the right is Adele Bloch-Bauer, the left part is almost empty and contains only a hint of the interior. The lower third of the canvas fills the hem of her dress. Gustav Klimt abandoned the depiction of perspective depth in the painting, preferring flatness. The ornamental gold background displaces the sketchily designated space into the background. The walls, chair and dress of the model turn out to be just two-dimensional figures located side by side.

A graceful female figure, revealed upon closer examination, sits in a chair. There is no free space above and below it; it occupies the entire vertical of the picture. The head image appears to be cut off at the top. Black, up-swept hair and a disproportionately large red mouth contrast with the extremely pale, almost blue-white carnation. The woman holds her hands clasped in a dynamic bend in front of her chest and looks directly at the viewer, thereby increasing the visual impact.

A shawl is thrown over the figure-hugging dress. It flows, expanding from the hands to the lower edge of the picture. Gold tones predominate here too. The neckline of the dress is decorated with a thin border of rectangles and a wide stripe with double row triangles. Then a pattern of randomly located stylized eyes inscribed in triangles was used (see symbolism " All Seeing Eye"). The cape, with its pattern of spirals, leaf shapes, and barely defined folds, seems a little lighter than the dress. The chair, also gold, stands out from the general background only thanks to the pattern of spirals - there are completely no shadows, halftones or contours on it. A small light green fragment of the floor adds a color accent to the overall scheme and helps give stability to the figure.

Model - Adele Bloch-Bauer
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The portrait shows Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881–1925), daughter general director Vienna Banking Union Moritz Bauer, aged 26. In 1899, at the age of 18, she married the much older Ferdinand Bloch. Before this, Adele's sister Maria married Ferdinand Bloch's brother, Gustav Bloch. Both families took the surname Bloch-Bauer.
They belonged to a select layer of the Jewish big bourgeoisie of the Fin de siècle period. The salon of Ferdinand and Adele Bloch-Bauer brought together painters, writers and social democratic politicians, such as Karl Renner and Julius Tandler.

Maria Altmann, Adele Bloch-Bauer's niece and heir to the painting, described her aunt as...
“Suffering, constantly suffering from headaches, smoking like a locomotive, terribly tender and dark. Spiritual face, self-satisfied and elegant"

The artists supported by the Bloch-Bauer family also included Gustav Klimt, who had been friends with Adele Bloch-Bauer since 1899. Already in 1901, Klimt painted Judith I, a half-act depicting the biblical Judith. The model was Adele Bloch-Bauer herself, although this fact was not advertised anywhere. In 1909, Judith II was created - and this painting very likely depicts Adele.
Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer acquired, in addition to the first “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” and the second, “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II”, as well as four more landscapes: “Birch Grove”, “Cammer Castle on Lake Attersee III”, “Apple Tree I” , "Houses in Unterach am Attersee". “Portrait of Amalia Zuckerkandl” was also purchased.

Technique and style
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The portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer dates back to the golden period of Klimt's work. In 1903, during a trip to Italy, the artist was inspired by the richly gold-decorated church mosaics in Ravenna and Venice, the ancient language of which he transferred to modern forms visual arts. He experimented with various painting techniques in order to give the surface of his works a new look. In addition to oil painting he used relief techniques and gilding.

Only the face, shoulders and arms are depicted naturalistically. The interior, together with the flowing dress and furniture, are only indicated, turning into an ornament, it becomes abstract and does not provide any spatial orientation, which corresponds to the color scheme and forms used by Klimt in 1898-1900.

Klimt admired Byzantine, Minoan, Mycenaean and Egyptian art, as well as medieval religious painting in Italy. In addition, the forms of the canvas reflect the influence of the Japanese art of Ukiyo-e engraving and Edo era painting, which was fashionable in Europe at that time. Last but not least, the characteristic features French impressionism, who was famous in Austria largely thanks to the Vienna Secession - a group of artists to which Klimt himself belonged until 1905.

http://arte-mihael.io.ua/s96592

G. Klimt “Portrait of Sonya Knips” (1898)

G. Klimt “Virgo” (1913)

The name of the famous Austrian artist, graphic artist and book illustrator Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) is inextricably linked with the Art Nouveau style, and his paintings are its most striking manifestation. Klimt was one of the most interesting and sought-after representatives of world fine art. He never sought to demonstrate his exclusivity to the public. He worked quietly, calmly, did only what he considered necessary, and, meanwhile, there were not many masters in the world who were so kindly received by the public, showered with orders and did not experience financial difficulties. This is one of Klimt's mysteries. Klimt was born into the family of an engraver and jeweler near Vienna. The father could not achieve income through his craft. The family will emerge from poverty only after Gustav, having graduated from the School of Decorative Arts, together with his brother Ernst and friend Franz Match, creates a company for the execution of artistic and decorative works. For several years, while the company existed, Klimt gained fame as the best decorative painter in Austria. However, the artist was not satisfied with himself and his style. There was still more to come. The first features of his unique style first appeared in the paintings of the grand staircase of the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum, created in 1890-1891. In 1897, Klimt headed the Secession, an association of artists created in opposition to official art. In 1900, he began work offered by the University of Vienna and presented the painting of one of the lampshades - “Philosophy”. It was then that a scandal broke out. On this lampshade, and then on the next ones - “Medicine” and “Jurisprudence” - the artist violated all the laws of color and composition, combining the incongruous. In his panels, man appears as a slave to his nature, obsessed with pain, sex and death. This Klimt both shocked and fascinated. But the scandal ended with the artist, having borrowed money, returning the advance to the university and keeping the works for himself. There were so many orders that this allowed him to quickly repay the debt and not think about money at all in the future. The “golden” period in Klimt’s work began. He's writing great amount paintings that, once you look at, you will never forget. Does he paint naked, openly sensual bodies (“Girlfriends”, “Adam and Eve”) or the tension of feelings between two lovers (“Love”, “Kiss”, “Intoxication”), or commissioned portraits of women (portraits of Sonya Knieps, Fritz Ridler, Adele Bloch-Bauer, Eugenia and Meda Primavesi, Frederica Maria Bier) - in any case, a personal vision of the world around us and the person in it is manifested. And it's fascinating. Here, for example, . On a raised platform (platform? hill?), strewn with flowers, against a background of darkened gold, two young lovers are depicted, united in a kiss. In the painting, only the girl’s face and the boy’s head, the hands of young people hugging and the girl’s leg, hanging as if over an abyss, are drawn. But most importantly, both figures are hidden by decorative clothes decorated with spirals, ovals, circles and others geometric shapes, so you won’t immediately be able to discern the figures hidden underneath them. The same manner is typical for portraits. real women. There are many of them, Klimt's women. Charming faces, hairstyles, hands, jewelry, but dresses and backgrounds, like in a magical kaleidoscope, turn into a unique fairy-tale decoration. This is exactly how he saw man, his beauty, weaknesses, fears and passions. And where this was not the case, nature remained. The artist painted landscapes for himself. So he rested. Maybe that's why critics ignored them for a long time. Today it's landscape painting recognized the best part his creativity. “Blossoming Garden”, “Country Garden with Sunflowers”, “After the Rain”, “Meadow with Poppies”, “ Birch Grove"almost realistic. Almost, because a touch of decorativeness is present in them too, making the landscapes light, ghostly, airy. Perhaps this is another side of the artist’s personality: simplicity, calmness and lightness, which a person with his passions so lacks.

One of the most famous painters of the past is Gustav Klimt, whose paintings are in great demand today. Unfortunately, there are not so many of his works, and all of them have long found their place in the best collections of the world. But when a miracle happens and his paintings are put up for auction, their value is fabulous.

the beginning of time

A man whose name is familiar to every intellectual today was born near the Austrian capital, in the town of Baumgarten. Gustav, who was born on July 14, 1862, was the second child. His father was an engraver and jeweler, so he gave all his many children their first lessons in the craft. The family lived poorly, but at the age of fourteen young talent enters the arts and crafts school. There, Gustav Klimt, whose paintings amaze everyone without exception, studied with such luminaries as Ferdinand Laufberger and Julius Victor Berger. A few years later, the artist’s younger brother, Ernst, also entered the same institution. Together they painted portraits of noble citizens from photographs and sold them for six guilders. This was their first independent income.

First steps in art

In 1879, the artist Gustav Klimt, his brother and Franz von Mach decorate the courtyard Vienna Museum history of art, after which they receive their first serious order. From the palace of Stureny ("Four Allegories") and the baths in Carlsbad, a special style emerges that will distinguish the paintings of Gustav Klimt from the works of other painters. Therefore, the trio of artists stop working together, and they each set off on their own voyage through life.

Finding your own style

The artist Klimt almost immediately received recognition from a demanding public. From the hands of Emperor Franz Joseph he receives the Golden Cross for services to art after completing work at the Burgtheater. Therefore, you send the master on a trip to the Old World, during which he visits Munich and Venice. This trip gave him a lot of impressions and inspiration for further work.

Having finished painting the main staircase capital museum art history, Gustav moves away from the academic style of drawing. His special style of performance has already acquired its finished form. In subsequent years, the artist Gustav Klimt, whose paintings every collector dreams of owning, became a member of the Union of Fine Arts. But in 1892, heavy losses await him: first his father dies, and then his brother Ernst. In 1894, Klimt, together with his long-time partner Franz Matsch, decorated the University of Vienna; before that, Gustav worked on the halls of the Hungarian Esterházy Castle.

Recognition during life

Work on the interiors of premises, in particular the execution of allegorical images, of the three faculties “Philosophy”, “Jurisprudence” and “Medicine” pushed the artist to paint canvases. He founded the Secession in Vienna and became its president, painted his first landscapes, and became interested in expressionism. Gustav Klimt's paintings of that period are distinguished by his love for mosaics and ornamental depictions of forms. This distinguishing feature works of the master in the future.

Gustav Klimt, whose paintings were awarded a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris ("Philosophy" painting), creates Beethoven's frescoes. This work of his, completed in 1902, was lively discussed by the public, and Rodin admired it. The master goes on a trip to Italy, becomes in demand, and people listen to him. In 1908, the artist organized his own exhibition, where he presented sixteen paintings. Two of them were immediately purchased by reputable institutions - the Gallery contemporary art in Rome and the Austrian State Gallery.

In Paris, which Klimt visited in 1909, he became acquainted with the works of Toulouse Lautrec, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse, Munch, Bonnart. A year later, he took part in the ninth painting, “Death and Life,” which was highly praised at the 1911 World Exhibition in Rome. After it, the artist again goes on a trip to Europe.

The last years of the life of the great painter

Despite the love of the public, Gustav Klimt's works were criticized by the Expressionists. After the death of his mother in 1915, the artist increasingly chose dark colors in his palette. He continues to take part in the most prestigious exhibitions in the world, becomes an honorary member of the Academy of Arts in Munich and Vienna, and paints masterpiece paintings. The artist died of a heart attack on February 6, 1918, leaving a large number unfinished work. After him, other great painters of that time also passed away.

“The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt is the artist’s most famous painting

This work is rightfully considered one of the best among the master’s heritage. It was created in 1907 and immediately after its presentation was purchased by the government of Austria-Hungary. Emotional, dazzlingly vivid, “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt is recognized as the most expressive image in the history of twentieth-century painting. What's special about it?

There are different types of patterns on the canvas: scatterings of variegated flowers, spreading curls, a chess motif of black, white and green rectangles, ribbon arabesques, twisting spirals. An abstraction made from fragments of naturalistically interpreted figures and fancy ornaments looks simply luxurious against a golden background. The couple, who is depicted in the center, embraced and merged in a passionate kiss. The mosaic clothes of the lovers only enhance the effect of intense passions, created by the master with the help of decorative details and their deep contrast with naturalistic elements. The girl's face, arms and legs are painted very realistically. But the body parts are surrounded, and in some places completely covered, by planes with an abstract motif that matches the colors on the ground and the texture of the fabric.

The painting has the artist’s favorite format - square. Gustav ignores the horizon and depth of space, pushes reality and the current time into the background. Thus, the kiss of a boy and a girl in love takes on a universal scale.

Symbolism of "The Kiss"

Gustav Klimt, whose paintings always have a meaning, also used symbolism in “The Kiss.” So, at first glance, the rectangles depicted on a man’s clothes have only decorative meaning. But these are phallic symbols that represent masculinity. They merge with feminine, encrypted in the motif on the woman’s robe. These are spirals, circles and ovals, which can be considered artistic signs of female genitalia. This union is harmonious and energetic, gives birth to life and continues it.

The canvas “Kiss” is completely unusual and shocking. Like all previous works, it had its fans and fierce opponents. But still, it marks the highest point of the so-called golden period of the artist’s work. The painting became the emblem of the Viennese Secession, captivating with its golden radiance, muted eroticism (after all, only the hands, feet and faces of the characters appeared open to the eye), and obvious chastity.

Cherchez la femme, or Look for a woman

Gustav Klimt's favorite motif was women and their bodies. He loved to paint scenes from mythology, biblical characters, Olympian goddesses, nymphs and ordinary girls who became unearthly. Surrounded by golden light (many of the genius’s works had just such a chic background), they seemed to be the ideal of beauty, beautiful and seductive at the same time. As a true artist, he idolized the fair sex, its divine awe, sensuality, mysticism and femininity.

He painted naked women on his canvases and only then dressed their bodies in fabulous, precious clothes. Mysterious flicker precious stones, flowing hair, the glow of silky skin and the finest gossamer dress created a temptation, covering her half-naked body.

Fatal ladies of genius

The artist of the turn of the century absorbed all the controversial opinions of that era. He was looking for an ideal and contemporary woman and depicted her in his paintings. He painted not only real people, such as Sonya Knips, whose portrait simultaneously expresses lightness, innocence, anxiety and thoughtfulness. Every lady depicted by Gustav is a fatal one. In the film “Love,” the heroine’s face froze in sweet ecstasy, but background the shadows deepen. After all, old age and death await the young man and girl. A striking example Such beauties are the following paintings: “Mermaid”, “Goldfish”, both versions of “Judith”, “Water Snakes”. Deep philosophy The work “Three Ages of a Woman” is also filled, which depicts a little girl, a woman in the prime of life and beauty, and an old woman.

It is interesting that the master was not married, although he had numerous novels. He probably never found his ideal...

From Masterweb

08.06.2018 16:00

Gustav Klimt (1862 – 1918) was considered one of the most controversial, but also the most popular and gifted artists turn of the XIX century– XX centuries. In his work, the main theme was almost always female figures, which often symbolized human feelings and states such as hope, love, death and others. The paintings of Gustav Klimt continue to fascinate our contemporaries with the ambiguous content and erotic charisma of the female images he created. Today, the works of this founder of Austrian modernism are classified as the most expensive paintings in the world. Reflecting the main stages of the artist’s life, the article will introduce the features and history of Gustav Klimt’s paintings and show how his classical manner was gradually transformed into a completely individual style, which became one of the main sources of subsequent modern trends.

Family, education, early creativity

He was born in Baumgarten, a Vienna suburb, in the family of the engraver Ernst Klimt. His mother, a failed pianist, gave birth to seven children, of whom Gustav was the second. His two younger brothers Ernst and Georg also became artists. A large family always needed money. And when Gustav entered the Kunstgewerbeschule in 1876, Viennese school applied arts and crafts, it was assumed that he would study only his father’s profession. But the young man received a scholarship, which allowed him to choose the specialty “architectural painting” and continue his studies until 1883. His brother Ernst entered the same school a year later than Gustav, but studied only the specialty of an engraver.

Klimt received a quality conservative education, and his early works correspond to the ideals of academicism. Among the paintings of 1879 – 1880 his creative research in the style of historicism. By technique and plot motives these works show fine detail and similarities to the work of his fellow student and colleague Franz Matsch.

1880 – 1990, beginning of activity

By 1880, Franz Matsch, Gustav and his brother Ernst registered the artist community Künstler-Compagnie with a working studio on Josefstädter Strasse in Lehmann. The company began receiving orders for the decoration of public buildings. Among other things, the group designed curtains and ceiling paintings for theaters in Reichenberg, Hermesville, Carlsbad and Fiume in 1885. In the new building of the Vienna "Burgtheater" in 1886-1888. friends created ceiling frescoes and intercolumn paintings, mosaic panels. In 1891–1892, the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna, as well as Peles Castle in Romania, were decorated with frescoes. After the artist's younger brother Georg Klimt came of age in 1888, Gustav went on a creative journey for a year to Krakow, Trieste, Venice and Munich.

In 1888, Klimt was awarded the Golden Order of Merit by the Emperor of Austria. This is how the frescoes painted by the artist for the Vienna “Burgtheater” were marked. After this, Klimt became an honorary member of the Universities of Munich and Vienna.

Author's style 1880 – 1990

Klimt's monumental works from 1886 to 1891 for the Burgtheater and the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum reflect the antique direction and academic style inherent in the artist at this stage. The works show an analogy with the work of the British artist Lawrence Alma-Tadema. "Allegories and Emblems" is one of Gustav Klimt's successful fresco series developed during this period. All frescoes, like the paintings of that period, are carefully detailed and drawn.

From the paintings of Gustav Klimt, the oil canvas “Sappho” (1888-1890; 39 cm × 31.6 cm) can be cited as a typical example of the subjects and techniques of the artist’s early creative stage. The image of the ancient Greek poetess against the backdrop of nature and ancient architecture reflects the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and the dreamy literary symbolism of Moreau. A similar composition in Klimt, built according to conservative classical canons, is present in his monumental painting for the Burgtheater.

Works 1880 – 1990

During this period, Klimt was more engaged in his immediate specialty, architectural painting. However, if the Künstler-Compagnie company was registered at Josefstadt 8, then Klimt rented a garden pavilion on the same street opposite the theater for his own studio, where he painted many works. Of the most famous works works of this period should be called:

1. Ceiling paintings for the University of Vienna.
2. Mosaic of the Palais Stoclet in Brussels.
3. Fable (1883).
4. "Idylls" (1884).
5. Frescoes in the “Burgtheater” in Vienna (1886 – 1888).
6. "Allegory of Sculpture" (1889).
7. Portrait of Joseph Pembauer, pianist and teacher (1890).
8. “Ancient Greece II” (“The Girl from Tanagra”) (1890 – 1891).

1891 – 1900, Vienna Secession

In 1891, Klimt became a member of the Viennese artists' cooperative at the Künstlerhaus, an exhibition building in the center of Vienna. In 1892, his father died in July, and six months later in December his brother Ernst also died, after which Gustav took over the support of his mother and financial assistance brother's family.

On May 24, 1897, Klimt resigned from the Künstlerhaus and became one of the founders of the Vienna Secession group, of which he was chairman from 1897 to 1899. The group consisted of Viennese youth representing different directions art. The association did not declare its manifesto. His goal, in contrast to the conservatism of the Künstlerhaus, was to create exhibitions for young progressive artists of new styles.

The government supported the group's efforts and provided leases on public lands to build exhibition hall"Secession". It was built by one of the group members, architect Josef Olbrich, in 1897–1898. In 1898, the Secession organized its first exhibition. Klimt designed metal doors for the building, and supplied many illustrations and templates for the group's periodical "Holy Spring" (Ver Sacrum) from 1898 to 1903. The group became the basis on which a version of the German Art Nouveau Jugendstil, called in Austria the Viennese Secession, developed. The symbol of the group was Pallas Athena - Greek goddess justice, wisdom, art. A radical version of her image can be seen in the paintings of Gustav Klimt, painted in 1898. The artist remained a member of the Secession until 1908.

Creativity 1891 – 1900

From this period a series of female portraits appeared: “Young woman in a chair”, “ Female portrait", "Girl by the fireplace", "Girl in a chair", "Portrait of Sonya Knips" and others. Some of them are drawn with photographic care, others are more reminiscent of the impressionist style. At the same time, the artist developed his own characteristic style.

The golden background is present in several of the artist’s paintings. Gustav Klimt begins to use it for the first time in the mid-1890s. The master was passionate about Japanese fine arts, and his works are reminiscent of the work of Ogata Korin, a 17th century painter. Since then, the use of a thin coating of precious metal has become characteristic of Klimt's works, especially during his Golden Period.

The beginning of the Vienna Secession represents the time of Art Nouveau and is probably a turning point in Klimt's work. His work from those years was clearly influenced by such established artists as Franz von Stuck and Jan Toorop. For example, the depiction of women's hair in Gustav Klimt's paintings is reminiscent of Torop's painting. "Judith I", painted by Klimt in 1901, seems to be inspired by Franz von Stuck's "The Sin". The position of the two bodies in Klimt's Water Serpents corresponds roughly to that of Edward Burne-Jones's 1887 painting The Depths of the Sea.

IN late XIX century, the image of a woman symbolizing “naked truth” (Nuda Veritas) appears, which eventually became characteristic of Klimt’s work. The first image of Klimt's Nuda Veritas was an illustration for the March issue of Ver sacrum magazine. And the prototype for it was probably the artist’s own “Isis” from “Egyptian Images” (Zwickelbild Egypt) of 1891.

Works 1891 – 1900

Klimt always worked extremely hard, constantly disappearing into the studio, and his work is considered one of the most productive. Here are some of Gustav Klimt's most famous paint-by-number paintings during the decade:

1. 1895 - 1896: “Portrait of a Lady”, “Music I”, “Love”, “Sculpture”.
2. 1897 – 1898: “Tragedy”, “Music II”, “Pallas Athena”, “Flowing Water”, “Portrait of Sonya Knips”, “Blood of Fishes”.
3. 1899: “Schubert at the Piano”; “After the Rain”, “Nymphs. Silver Fish", "Mermaids", "Nuda Veritas", "Portrait of Serena Lederer".
4. 1899 – 1907: “Philosophy”.

Scandalous order of 1990

In 1894, the Austrian Ministry of Education commissioned Klimt to create three large-scale paintings to decorate the ceiling in the hall of the Faculty of Painting of the University of Vienna. Until 1990, not all paintings were ready. The first work - “Philosophy” - was subjected to merciless criticism by university professors. At the same time, “Philosophy,” exhibited by Klimt at the Paris exhibition in 1990, was awarded a gold medal. The artist depicted a nude female figure in an allegorical form, but all his works of this kind have incredible strength eroticism. After the scandal, the Austrian public was still to a lesser extent was ready for a compromise perception of the paintings by Gustav Klimt painted in 1991 with the titles “Medicine” and “Jurisprudence”. Considered pornographic images, these works were harshly rejected by university, political, religious and cultural circles.

The artist exhibited all three paintings at the Secession, and Klimt and Franz Match had serious disagreements regarding their content. Match's "Theology" was accepted by the teaching committee and is still at the University of Vienna. Journalist Karl Kraus in The Torch magazine, defending the university's rejection of Klimt's Philosophy, disparagingly noted that Paris, which imports art in the style of "goût Juif" (Jewish taste), would certainly approve of the paintings for a temple of science such as the university. After the scandal, Klimt no longer accepted government commissions, devoting himself to portrait and landscape painting.

"Medicine"

All the paintings were purchased for 30,000 crowns by the Austrian industrialist August Lederer, a collector and philanthropist. However, the work burned down in 1945 during the retreat of German troops in Lower Austria. What remains of the project are several individual sketches and poor quality black and white photographs. The photo of Gustav Klimt’s painting “Medicine” reflects only part monumental work. It depicts Hygeia, which was located in the lower central part of the canvas. The image was preserved because it was part of a selection of works from 300 copies of art albums published in 1914 under Klimt’s personal supervision. Photographed for publication best works artist for the period 1893 - 1913. In the first thirty copies, the most important lithographs were printed in color. Among these images, a fragment of “Medicine” has been preserved, which gives an idea of ​​​​the colorful brightness of the entire work.

Golden period

The creative phase, which brought the artist fame, wealth and the largest number of private orders, lasted until the beginning of the 1910s. Using gold leaf for backgrounds since the mid-1890s, Klimt became fascinated by the amazing possibilities of this material. No reproductions of Gustav Klimt’s paintings will convey all the splendor of the golden hair of his “Water Serpents,” the sparkling jewelry and transparent folds of the clothes of “Judith” I and II, and the precious rain “Danae.”

The thinnest gold leaf, unlike primer, varnish and paint, is resistant to abrasion. This substrate creates a special effect, shining through a light layer of paint. By covering the golden background with transparent or slightly tinted varnish, you can different ways get the impression of varied textures. Paint applied to gold can be scratched, erased, already dried or damp, or partially removed with a solvent, thereby obtaining most interesting effects. By applying precious metal to a paint layer, you can achieve completely different visual results. The artist became fascinated by the decorative properties of gold (sometimes silver sheet) for a long time and created many breathtaking works. It is impossible to list all the works created during this period by Gustav Klimt's numbers. The painting “The Kiss”, “Adele Bloch-Bauer”, “Goldfish”, both paintings “Judith”, “Danae”, “Water Serpents” are considered the most impressive.

"Kiss"

This painting from 1907–1908 is not only the most famous, but also iconic for Klimt’s work to the same extent as “La Gioconda” for da Vinci. The entire composition, color and technical solution create the impression that this canvas is an icon of fiery and tender love.

Gustav Klimt depicted the painting “The Kiss” on a perfect square of canvas measuring 180 by 180 cm. A man and wife entwined in an embrace are painted at the edge of a cliff covered with colorful flowers. Their bodies are almost completely covered with clothes and enclosed in a kind of golden halo, which is even more reminiscent of icons. The male figure's face is hidden, but one is tempted to see "The Kiss" as autobiographical work, in which the artist depicted himself. Who could be the prototype in this case? female figure? Art historians have been solving this riddle for many years. By leaving understatement and some ambiguity in the depicted personalities, the artist thereby increases the attractiveness of the work. In The Kiss, Gustav Klimt embodies not just a subjective or situational meaning, but a universal, timeless vision of romantic love.

The work was presented by the artist at the Vienna Kunstschau exhibition in 1908. It was immediately acquired by the Austrian Ministry of Culture and Education. The canvas is stored in the Belvedere Gallery in the artist’s homeland.

Exhibitions

Klimt's "Golden Period" is marked by the largest number of exhibitions of the artist throughout Europe, which testifies to his importance on the art scene of that time.

1. In 1905, Klimt exhibited fifteen works at the newly opened Berlin Secession at the annual Deutscher Künstlerbund exhibition and received the Villa Romana Prize.
2. In 1906, the artist traveled to Belgium and England, and by the end of the year he was appointed an honorary member of the Royal Bavarian Academy fine arts in Munich.
3. In 1908 he exhibited in Florence, then in Prague and Dresden.
4. In 1909 he went to Munich, Paris, Madrid and Toledo.
5. In 1910, at the IX Venice Biennale, his works were received with unprecedented enthusiasm.
6. 1911 - exhibition in Rome (first prize for the painting “Death and Life”)
7. 1912 - Dresden again.
8. 1913 - Budapest, Munich and Mannheim
9. In 1914, Klimt exhibited with the Austrian Artists Association in Rome and visited Brussels.
10. In 1916, together with Schiele and Kokoschka, he participated in the Berlin Federal Exhibition.
11. In 1912, Klimt became president of the Federation of Austrian Artists.

The last creative stage

From 1900 to 1916, Klimt stayed mainly in a summer resort villa on Lake Attersee in Upper Austria. Most of his many landscapes are painted here. Some of them, in order to capture a greater perspective, were written from a very long distance. And Klimt in these cases used his telescope, looking at the nuances of color and shadow among the selected details of the landscape. His landscapes are very voluminous and perfectly create the impression of space and air. At the beginning of 1910, gold and ornamental motifs completely disappeared from his works. Color becomes the artist's main tool for conveying ideas and feelings.

Paintings today

Klimt always, on everyone creative stage, was a sought-after artist and never had a shortage of wealthy customers. Many of his works were purchased for museums, but most were acquired for private collections.

In 2006, five paintings belonging to the heirs of Bernhard Altmann were exhibited in New York at Christie's and sold for a staggering price:

1. The first portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, known as “Golden Adele”, or the painting “Woman in Gold”, was painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907. The painting was purchased for $135 million by Ronald Lauder for the New York New Gallery. At that time, this was the highest price for a painting; now the work ranks eighth on the list of the most expensive paintings.
2. The second portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, painted in 1912, was purchased by a bidder for $87.936 million. At that time, it was the fifth highest cost per painting in the world.
3. Bauerngarten (Blumengarten) 1903, went to auction for $33,056 million.
4. Apfelbaum I (1912) sold for $40.336 million.
5. The landscape "Houses in Unterach am Attersee", painted around 1916, was purchased for $31.376 million.

Klimt is one of most important artists Art Nouveau period in Austria, and also occupies a leading position internationally. However, his work was partially ignored by the German-speaking community. art criticism first half of the 20th century or accepted as pure decorative painting. Only later did its static symbolism and ornamental abstraction become a recognized trend in development modern painting. In addition, Klimt promoted young artists such as Egon Schiele or Oskar Kokoschka, thus making another important contribution to the progress of modern art.

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