Gustav Klimt and His Intriguing Paintings

Prominent Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt was born 150 years ago, on July 14, 1962. His major works include paintings, murals, sketches, and other art objects. Klimt's primary subject was the female body.

A photographic portrait of Gusrav Klimt with his cat by Moritz Naehr. 1914

Gustav Klimt was born in Baumgarten, near Vienna in Austria-Hungary, the second of seven children—three boys and four girls. His father Ernst Klimt was a gold engraver.

Mermaids, 1905.

Klimt studied architectural painting at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts.

The Virgin, 1913.

Klimt began his professional career painting interior murals and ceilings in large public buildings.

Goldfish, 1903

In 1888, Klimt received the Golden order of Merit from Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria for his contributions to murals painted in the Burgtheater in Vienna. He also became an honorary member of the University of Munich and the University of Vienna.

Hope, 1903

In the early 1890s, Klimt met Emilie Floge, who was his partner, muse, and companion for years, right up until his death in 1918.

Portrait of Emilie Floge, 1902

In 1897, Klimt became president of the Vienna Secession). He remained with the Secession until 1908. The group's goals were to provide exhibitions for unconventional young artists, to bring the best foreign artists' works to Vienna, and to publish its own magazine to showcase members' work.

Danae. 1907-1908

In 1902, Klimt finished the Beethoven Frieze for the 14th Vienna Secessionist exhibition, which was intended to be a celebration of the composer. The frieze was painted directly on the walls with light materials. After the exhibition the painting was preserved, although it did not go on display until 1986.

Judith I (1901) is one of the paintings of Klimt's 'Golden Phase.'

The Kiss (1908) is also characterized by the prominent use of gold.

In 1911 his painting Death and Life received first prize in the world exhibitions in Rome.

Klimt died in Vienna on February 6, 1918, having suffered a stroke and pneumonia due to the influenza epidemic of that year. He was buried at the Hietzing Cemetery in Vienna. Numerous paintings were left unfinished.

Apple Tree, 1912.

Klimt's paintings have brought some of the highest prices recorded for individual works of art.

The Three Ages of Woman, 1905.