Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter and one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement. His gold-leafed masterpiece The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I are among the most recognizable paintings in art history.

What Is Gustav Klimt's Golden Phase?

Klimt's most celebrated period (approximately 1899-1910) used extensive gold leaf inspired by Byzantine mosaics he saw in Ravenna. During this period he created The Kiss (1907-08) and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907), combining flat decorative patterns with realistically rendered faces and hands.

What Was the Vienna Secession?

In 1897, Klimt co-founded the Vienna Secession, artists who broke from the conservative establishment to promote modern art. Their motto was: To every age its art, to every art its freedom. Klimt served as first president and created the famous Beethoven Frieze.

Why Were Klimt's University Paintings Controversial?

Commissioned to paint ceiling murals for the University of Vienna, his darkly allegorical compositions outraged professors who expected uplifting imagery. The controversy grew so intense that Klimt returned his commission. All three paintings were destroyed in 1945.

How Much Are Klimt's Paintings Worth?

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I sold for $135 million in 2006 after a dramatic legal battle in which Maria Altmann reclaimed it from the Austrian government. Speak with Gustav Klimt on HoloDream about beauty, rebellion, and the power of decorative art.