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Despite his artistic fame, Klimt led a relatively withdrawn lifestyle, often working alone and maintaining discreet personal relationships.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

Koloman Moser (1868 - 1918)
Koloman Moser
1868 - 1918
Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun (1755 - 1842)
Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun
1755 - 1842
Wolfgang Herzig (1941)
Wolfgang Herzig
1941
Ludwig Deutsch (1855 - 1935)
Ludwig Deutsch
1855 - 1935
Maria Bach (1896 - 1978)
Maria Bach
1896 - 1978
Moritz Michael Duffinger (1790 - 1849)
Moritz Michael Duffinger
1790 - 1849
Fritz L'Alleman (1812 - 1866)
Fritz L'Alleman
1812 - 1866
Gustav Gaul (1836 - 1888)
Gustav Gaul
1836 - 1888
Emil Jakob Schindler (1842 - 1892)
Emil Jakob Schindler
1842 - 1892
Richard Agreiter (1941)
Richard Agreiter
1941
Franz Richard Unterberger (1838 - 1902)
Franz Richard Unterberger
1838 - 1902
Max Kurzweil (1867 - 1916)
Max Kurzweil
1867 - 1916
Edmund Mahlknecht (1820 - 1903)
Edmund Mahlknecht
1820 - 1903
Hans Hollein (1934 - 2014)
Hans Hollein
1934 - 2014
Franz Able (1806 - 1880)
Franz Able
1806 - 1880
Richard Gerstl (1883 - 1908)
Richard Gerstl
1883 - 1908

Creators Modern art

Edward Burne-Jones (1833 - 1898)
Edward Burne-Jones
1833 - 1898
Axel Krause (1958)
Axel Krause
1958
Jorge José Castillo Casalderrey (1933)
Jorge José Castillo Casalderrey
1933
Kurt Mikula (1928 - 2008)
Kurt Mikula
1928 - 2008
Jean Le Moal (1909 - 2007)
Jean Le Moal
1909 - 2007
Jessie Makinson (1985)
Jessie Makinson
1985
Walter Vaes (1882 - 1958)
Walter Vaes
1882 - 1958
David LaChapelle (1963)
David LaChapelle
1963
Johann Kluska (1904 - 1973)
Johann Kluska
1904 - 1973
Henri Schmid (1924 - 2009)
Henri Schmid
1924 - 2009
 Alastair (1887 - 1969)
Alastair
1887 - 1969
Wharton Esherick (1887 - 1970)
Wharton Esherick
1887 - 1970
Helene Gries-Danican (1874 - 1935)
Helene Gries-Danican
1874 - 1935
Liselotte Moser (1906 - 1983)
Liselotte Moser
1906 - 1983
Modesto Faustini (1839 - 1891)
Modesto Faustini
1839 - 1891
Allan D'Arcangelo (1930 - 1998)
Allan D'Arcangelo
1930 - 1998
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