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 Gustav Klimt
(Vienna,
July 14, 1862
-
Vienna, Feb. 6, 1918), Viennese painter,
draughtsman
and graphic artist, son of an engraver, important representative of
the Vienna Secession Secession. 1876-1883 studied at the Vienna School
of Arts and Crafts with J. V. Berger and F. Laufberger, from 1879
worked with his brother Ernst K. and F. Matsch. The paintings created
in this period were partly decorative, partly influenced by H. Makart
and were designed for public buildings (theatre of Reichenberg
1882/83, Bukarest 1885, Rijeka 1885, Karlsbad 1886; Hermesvilla in
Lainz, Vienna 1885, staircases of the Vienna Burgtheater 1886-1888,
staircase of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna 1890/91). After
the death of his brother Ernst in 1892, K. was commissioned to paint
the ceiling frescoes (The Faculties) in the Aula of the University of
Vienna together with F. Matsch (1894). In 1905 he cancelled the order,
as the presentation of his "Philosophy" and of his
"Medicine" had provoked harsh protests. In 1897 K. was a
founding member of the Vienna Secession, which he chaired until his
resignation in 1905. His style was subject to significant changes, he
broke with the academic ideal and his later works were characterised
by intensive colours, frequent use of golden backgrounds, ornamental
design of surfaces and sometimes strong symbolism. As the main
representative of the Vienna Secession K. was in a very influential
position among the artists and persons engaged on the cultural sector
of the monarchy and was a popular portrait painter of Viennese society
(S. Knips, A. Bloch-Bauer etc.). In 1902 he created the Beethoven
Frieze for the Secession. Close friendship with the founders of the
Wiener Werkstätte (1903) J. Hoffmann and K. Moser. In 1905 K.
designed his sketch of the marble frieze of the Palais Stoclet in
Brussels, which was executed in 1911 by the workshop of L. Forstner.
K. also became famous for his landscapes and, in particular for his
extensive graphic work, which shows a marked erotic element. K.´s
work constitutes a link between Historicism and modern tendencies,
such as the art of E. Schiele, and he therefore holds a key position
in Austrian art history.
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