Gustav Klimt (1862 - 1918) - photo 1

Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt, an Austrian Symbolist painter, was a central figure in Vienna's Secession movement, known for his paintings, murals, sketches, and objets d'art. Born on July 14, 1862, in Baumgarten near Vienna, Klimt's early life was marked by financial hardship, but he showed artistic talent at a young age. He studied at Vienna's Kunstgewerbeschule, where he received a conservative education in architectural painting that influenced his early traditional works.

Klimt's path as an artist was evolutionary and controversial. Initially a successful painter of architectural decorations, his style evolved into a more personal and controversial form, especially after public criticism of his works for the Great Hall of the University of Vienna in 1900, which were deemed pornographic. This turning point led him to abandon public commissions and begin the so-called "golden period," characterized by the use of gold leaf in his work. Some of his most famous paintings, such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which demonstrate a combination of Byzantine influence and modern symbolism, belong to this phase.

An important aspect of Klimt's career was his participation in the Vienna Secession, an art movement he co-founded in 1897. This movement, which had no manifesto, aimed to showcase unconventional artists and to bring foreign artistic influences to Vienna. Klimt was its first president and participated in the creation of the periodical Ver Sacrum.

Despite his artistic fame, Klimt led a relatively withdrawn lifestyle, often working alone and maintaining discreet personal relationships. Nevertheless, his legacy remains strong: his works fetch high prices at auction and continue to be celebrated for their innovative style and symbolic depth.

For collectors and art experts, Klimt's work represents a fascinating exploration of the evolution of Symbolism and Art Nouveau. His unique approach to form, color, and subject matter makes his work highly valued and constantly relevant in the art world.

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Date and place of birt:14 july 1862, Vienna, Austria
Date and place of death:6 february 1918, Vienna, Austria
Nationality:Austria
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Graphic artist, Interior designer, Painter
Art school / group:Vienna Secession
Genre:Allegory, Nude art, Landscape painting, Portrait
Art style:Modern art, Surrealism, Symbolism

Creators Austria

Franz von Defregger (1835 - 1921)
Franz von Defregger
1835 - 1921
Heinrich Salzmann (1959)
Heinrich Salzmann
1959
Christian Ruben (1805 - 1875)
Christian Ruben
1805 - 1875
Jacob van Schuppen (1670 - 1751)
Jacob van Schuppen
1670 - 1751
Leopold Kupelwizer (1796 - 1862)
Leopold Kupelwizer
1796 - 1862
Franz Schrotzberg (1811 - 1889)
Franz Schrotzberg
1811 - 1889
Fritzi Löw (1892 - 1975)
Fritzi Löw
1892 - 1975
Franz Deiwel (1748 - 1810)
Franz Deiwel
1748 - 1810
Joseph Gallus Rittenberg (1948)
Joseph Gallus Rittenberg
1948
Wolfgang Flatz (1952)
Wolfgang Flatz
1952
Raimund Volanek (1857 - 1924)
Raimund Volanek
1857 - 1924
Franz Richard Unterberger (1838 - 1902)
Franz Richard Unterberger
1838 - 1902
Franz Caucig (1755 - 1828)
Franz Caucig
1755 - 1828
Karl Svoboda (1824 - 1870)
Karl Svoboda
1824 - 1870
Karl Kauba (1865 - 1922)
Karl Kauba
1865 - 1922
Joseph Bergler (1753 - 1829)
Joseph Bergler
1753 - 1829

Creators Modern art

Flavio Poli (1900 - 1984)
Flavio Poli
1900 - 1984
Sonia Lewitska (1880 - 1937)
Sonia Lewitska
1880 - 1937
Joe Biel (1966)
Joe Biel
1966
Edward John Poynter (1836 - 1919)
Edward John Poynter
1836 - 1919
Hovsep Pushman (1877 - 1966)
Hovsep Pushman
1877 - 1966
Louise Vidal (1876 - 1918)
Louise Vidal
1876 - 1918
John Bourne (1943)
John Bourne
1943
Wifredo Lam (1902 - 1982)
Wifredo Lam
1902 - 1982
Dušan Džamonja (1928 - 2009)
Dušan Džamonja
1928 - 2009
Beppe Ciardi (1875 - 1932)
Beppe Ciardi
1875 - 1932
Casimir Stabrovsky (1869 - 1929)
Casimir Stabrovsky
1869 - 1929
Lev Voldemarovich Nusberg (1937)
Lev Voldemarovich Nusberg
1937
Jacques Le Chevallier (1896 - 1987)
Jacques Le Chevallier
1896 - 1987
John Rädecker (1885 - 1956)
John Rädecker
1885 - 1956
Sergey Vasilyevich Malyutin (1859 - 1937)
Sergey Vasilyevich Malyutin
1859 - 1937
Jan Pieter Terwey (1883 - 1965)
Jan Pieter Terwey
1883 - 1965