19-20th Cent. Gustav Klimt

Portrait of Helene Klimt

1898

Portrait of Sonja Knips

1898

Gustav Klimt was born 14 July 1862, in Baumgarten, Austria. He was the son of Anna Finster and Ernst Klimt. He had two brothers and four sisters. His father worked as a gold and silver engraver. In 1876, he attended the Wien Public Art School. In 1882, Klimt opened a studio with his brother, Ernst Klimt and Franz Matsch. From 1886 to 1892, Klimt made mural decorations for the staircases at the Burgtheater, in Vienna and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. In 1888, Klimt received the Golden order of Merit from Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria (1830-1916).

"Even when I have to write a simple letter I'm scared stiff as if faced with looming seasickness."

In 1891, Klimt became a member of the Co-operative Society of Austrian Artists. Both his father, Ernst Klimt and brother, Ernst Klimt died in 1892. In 1893, Klimt and Franz Matsch were commissioned to decorate the ceiling of the Great Hall of the University of Wien. In 1897, Klimt founded with other artists the Wien Secession. In 1898, he painted Portrait of Helene Klimt and portrait of Sonja Knips. From 1898 to 1903, he was an illustrator for the magazine Ver Sacrum.

"Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late - thoughts both about and not about art."

From 1900 to 1903, Klimt worked on a commission for a series of ceiling murals for the Wien University. In 1901, he painted Judith. In 1902, he finished the Beethoven Frieze for the 14th Wien Secessionist exhibition.

"All art is erotic."

In 1902, he painted the designer Emilie Flöge (30 August 1874 - 26 May 1952). She became his lover and companion. Interested in fashion, Klimt also designed costumes and jewelry. In 1903, he traveled to Ravenna and Florence. In 1904, he collaborated with other artists on the Palais Stoclet. Also in 1904, he painted Water Snakes. About his day he said, "After tea it's back to painting - a large poplar at dusk with a gathering storm. From time to time instead of this evening painting session I go bowling in one of the neighbouring villages, but not very often." And, "If the weather is good I go into the nearby wood - there I am painting a small beech forest (in the sun) with a few conifers mixed in. This takes until 8 'o clock."

"Sometimes I miss out the morning's painting session and instead study my Japanese books in the open."

In 1905, Klimt resigned from Secession and formed a new association with other artists, called Kunstschau (Art Show). In 1907, he painted the Portrait of Adèle Bloch-Bauer. She was one of his lovers and he painted her several times. In 1907-1908, Klimt painted The Kiss. In 1911, he traveled to Rome and Florence. Also in 1911, Klimt received first prize for his painting Death and Life in the world exhibitions, in Rome. Once he stated, "I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I'm not certain of whether it's true." In 1914, Klimt painted Elisabeth Bachofen-Echt. His mother, Anna died in 1915. In 1917, he painted Schönbrunn Landscape. According to Commentary on a non-existent self-portrait by Gustav Klimt, "I have never painted a self-portrait. I am less interested in myself as a subject for a painting than I am in other people, above all women... There is nothing special about me. I am a painter who paints day after day from morning to night..." He also declared, "I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing- ought to look carefully at my pictures and try and see in them what I am and what I want to do." He suffered a stroke on 11 January 1918. Gustav Klimt died of pneumonia on 6 February 1918, in Wien. He was buried in the Hietzing Cemetery, in Wien.

"True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me." Gustav Klimt