By Sarah Jost
In 1897, Gustav Klimt and several fellow Austrian artists founded the Vienna Secession to exhibit the works of young artists, publish an arts magazine, and bring the work of foreign artists to Vienna. Notable Vienna Secessionists include Max Klinger, Egon Schiele, Max Kurzweil, Oskar Kokoschka, and Richard Gerstl.
As the first president of the Vienna Secession, and likely its most well-known member, Gustav Klimt was a master Symbolist. His paintings stir immediate emotional reactions with renderings that are at once impressionist and detailed.
I have been a fan of Klimt’s since visiting European museums and becoming acquainted with the Vienna Secessionists. It was only recently, however, that I became aware of Klimt’s naturalist works. Just as beautiful, these paintings show the breadth and diversity of his abilities.
Klimt also produced a variety of sketches and portraits, each as breathtaking as his symbolist and naturalist works. Stay tuned next week for a look at another Vienna Secessionist, and one of my favourite artists, Egon Schiele.
Though the naturalist works are beautiful, I am drawn to the second picture shown.
It reminds me of gardens we saw both in the UK and in France.
I envision it on my wall.
It makes me happy.
The tree ones are lovely and reminiscent of the impressionists.
I love that one, too! A lot of his symbolist works have a similar feeling. Check out these: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CInODUbkjSw/R_ZuSVfh9pI/AAAAAAAABLY/3l3CYMl11Lk/s1600/Klimt_Jardin%2B_au_crucifix_1912.jpg&imgrefurl=http://connect.in.com/klimt/photos-1-1-1-b94709a6eb9e91d4f6f904ecbc0255fa.html&usg=__d74iwn9ZjFRFJB1dNsYEOaGfBIc=&h=972&w=983&sz=386&hl=en&start=6&zoom=1&tbnid=DhfTMd0zVulX_M:&tbnh=147&tbnw=149&ei=kyunTY2IHa-C0QGupoT5CA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgustav%2Bklimt%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D546%26tbm%3Disch0%2C1596&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1366&bih=546, http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.essentialart.com/ea/Gustav_Klimt_Garden_with_Sunflowers.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.essentialart.com/acatalog/Gstv_Klmt_prints_Garden_with_Sunflowers.html&usg=__y8knprsb6C7-5u1_ClhjTU1aUSs=&h=602&w=452&sz=103&hl=en&start=8&zoom=1&tbnid=2XAmVZ055SGGPM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=101&ei=kyunTY2IHa-C0QGupoT5CA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgustav%2Bklimt%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D546%26tbm%3Disch0%2C1824&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1366&bih=546, http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mynmi.net/epeterson/Gustav%2BKlimt-Apple%2BTree.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mynmi.net/epeterson/&usg=__wk2e88KsiHzOnsIQWxmye5IzlWw=&h=317&w=320&sz=52&hl=en&start=6&zoom=1&tbnid=_vUCvWOhZd37NM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=118&ei=hiunTbr7KOrt0gGCqIj5CA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgustav%2Bklimt%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D546%26tbm%3Disch0%2C798&um=1&itbs=1&biw=1366&bih=546!
These are breathtaking! I especially like the third one. It’s interesting to me that as a child, I would have recoiled from it in terror. (I just know!) But as an adult, I’m very drawn to the delicious, other worldly, oddness of it. I don’t know much about art, but I go to bookstores sometimes and explore the art books. I discovered a while ago that I was a fan of Klimt. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.
I’m glad you enjoyed them as much as I do! And the third picture is my favourite as well. It’s eerie yet enthralling. I can’t stop looking at it! Cheers. -Sarah
. . . thank you for reminding me of just how brilliant GK was/is . . . not much of a leap from sensualist to impressionist, but the natural paintings are hauntingly beautiful.
There are some in a country house in Cornwall, on the moor, not far from where I am. The combination of ancient house, moorland mist, desolation and his pictures is wonderful.
Thanks again . . . RR
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