Gustav Klimt: Gold-laced Femininity And Erotic Surrealism
(4 min read) Gustav Klimt, (born July 14th, 1862) was a famous Austrian symbolist and expressionist painter. Famed for his world-renowned golden era painting; “The Kiss”. His demure, often erotic and surreal paintings moved boldly away from traditional styles, and passionately into the fires of suggestion, sexual expression and female identity.
Klimt created a range of strange, opulent and cultured visuals, ranging from murals, sketches, and gold-leafed designs. Focused avidly on the female form, Klimt’s study of femininity was often ostracized; judged as ‘pornographic’ and gratuitous.
However; when we examine Klimt’s bold and gutsy mastery, we see a gorgeously sensual insight into the power, mystery, passion, and love that is encapsulated in the floral decadence of femininity. When compared to other representations of women in the 19th Century art sphere, we see many meek, and mild and acutely unvaried depictions of damsels and dames, undeveloped, under-powered and impersonal.
Klimt offered us a real, raw, anatomically accurate and imperfect array of bewitching femmes, using their bodies, elongated poses and rouged expressions as an inlet to the mind.
In his early artistic plight, Klimt was a successful architectural painter, and became more scandalous as his personal work developed and he completed a ceiling mural for the Great Hall at the University of Vienna; this was also branded as distasteful by critics.
Refusing to undertake any further public works after his criticism, he committed to his private study, leading on to the birth of his famous golden phase, where gold leaf and symbol mingled with his moody and witchy female forms.
Klimt’s keen eye for the power and capacity of femininity and its many forms is most clear in his piece; The Three Ages of Woman, depicting the life cycle of a woman from infancy to old age. In this gorgeously intimate piece, a young, rouge-cheeked mother holds her infant daughter in a loving embrace, overshadowed by the impending cold caress of old age above her in a twisted, dark and seemingly defeated form. The indifferent, often brutal decay of life seems remedied by the floral softness of the relationships between the mother and child in the painting, representing hope through the vast neutrality and certain decay of existence, and the beauty in balance of life and death.
The famous Tree of Life painting combines his well-beloved female mysticism and connectedness but focuses on the swirling, spiraling movements of the tree of life, representing the fruitfulness of life and its connection to all beings.
This fantastically spiritual piece suggests a deeply numinous nature to its artist; Klimt’s readily awake eyes see not only human divinity but recognize the omnipresence of spiritual power among all things.
Has Klimt’s work inspired you to add some surrealist charm to your home?
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75 Comments
Great selection of Gustav Klimt art work! Also you made me realize the symbolism implicit in his work. Thanks for sahring.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen his work before, but I slept through half of my art history 7am class in college! It’s interesting how much femininity he gave his work and showing off the female body for what it is at that time period.
lol!!! I don’t blame you, 7am is too early to learn about history! He is truly fantastic, i love his work.
This is a great selection of artwork. I particularly like the mother and child bonding. Thank you for sharing.
Great post! I really enjoy art, specially this kind of surrealism. It looks so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
I love the artists that you chose to post . They really seems to have a great way of expressing their feelings through art.
Oh, these are some good works right there! Thanks for sharing!
There is a wide selection of art here to see, I must admit, I need to see more art in my life.
What interesting art pieces you’ve discussed here in your post! Thanks for sharing all of this info!!!
Oh this is such a great selection. I’ve never heard of Gustav Klimt but I really love his work now!
This is some really gorgeous art! I really love all the colors and imagery!
I love the works of this artist! the works cultivate an eclectic style, with interest in historical subjects.
These are some fascinating pieces of art. I’ve never seen any of these before.
Indeed these work of art are surreal and carry so much meaning. You can just keep looking at them for hours.
As always, great collection of artwork! These pieces are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I am happy to learn about Klimt. His art is beautiful and inspiring. Very informative.
Klimt’s work has indeed inspired me to add little surrealist charm to my home.
Beautiful mosaics on those pictures. They look amazing!!!
Great art! I’m more of a realism or impressionism art kind of person.
Wow, stunning collection of art using mosaics, i was captivated by The Kiss, stunning indeed!
What amazing pieces of art! They are so stunning I could look at them forever!
Oh my goodness! I love those arts you’ve shared with us. I love the creativity and the uniqueness of each art. I am totally amazed!
See the beautiful art of Gustav Klimt makes me carried away and imagined in its interpretation. They are really amazing masterpieces. Thanks for sharing anyway..
Excellent pieces of art! I love how I am discovering art such as this one. I am in awe.
Woah! I had no idea about Klimt’s existence! Thanks!
I adore Klimt’s painting, and what a treat to be shown it in mosaic as well!
Honestly, at first glance I thought I didn’t like it so much, but then looking at the images and reading your words, they came to life. I see them differently and really enjoy their feminity.
That is 100% one of Klimt’s works characteristics, you can’t help but appreciate his work and contributions to the world of art.
I saw the painting Kiss when I was in Austria. It was so beautiful x
I love the artwork you share on your blog. The lady in the yellow dress is just mesmerizing.
Oh wow, those were a stunning artwork. It would be so happy if I can see them personally.
I love art. I’m not very fond of obscure art like these but I always admire the imagination of artists. I always wonder how they see the world with their eyes… so interesting!
I’m more of an impressionism when it comes to art..! But surrealism is great too.. Love those mosaics..!
Gustav Klimt sounds like a great artist because as of this time his works are still recognize by so many people.
Gustav Klimt is such a talented and great painter, I’d say classic. The kiss is so very often seen everywhere, I like it a lot. Climt is my mother-in-law’s favorite so it’s kinda special to me too
He tops my list of fave artists for sure, I can’t get enough of his work.
I learn about Gustav Klimt when I was moving to my new home because I wanted to get some nice pictures to decorate my new place. I have also seen Gustav Klimt’s artwork when I travel to Europe, most of his famous painting are done with gold. Love the kissed and the tree of life, these are my favorite.
He is just amazing! Did you end up buying any of his reproductions for your new home?
These are some great pieces of art. So interesting to learn about this artist!
These are really a beautiful artwork and Klimt is really a great artist. All of his artwork are from the reality and I love it!
Such amazing artwork have never seen anything like this. Thanks for posting and sharing.
i love how you explained the symbolism. I love learning about the meaning behind paintings! keep posting!
Thank you so much Whitney, I am so happy you liked the article.
Gustav Klimt is one of my favourite artists, with Danae and The Kiss being my two favourite pieces of him. I love the way he brings these lovely moments to life on the canvas.
Same here!!! I’ve always loved his work, he is out of this world, an avant gardiste for sure.
It’s great to remember how groundbreaking Klimt’s work was – and how it still stirs us and makes us think and feel today. His gold phase draws so much of our attention, it’s easy to forget all the other incredible work he did. Your article was just the right amount of visuals and background info, that I now want to dive deeper learning about his life and process and examine more of his work. Thank you!
I can’t agree more Luci, he is really one of a kind, I am obsessed with his work. So happy you enjoyed the article.
The older I get the more I appreciate this kind of art. These pieces are very beautiful! I’d love to have one at my home. 🙂
I think the golden lady is my favorite. What beautiful pieces of art he made!
Oh thats amazing. I am learning about history from your art. I am just mesmerized. I have never experienced such an art before.
What beautiful artworks! It is wonderful to meet new artists and see their legacy.
I never get tired of mosaic artwork. What beautiful works of art…thank you for sharing the works of Klimt with us.
Those are some pretty pieces of art. Love the different pieces you shared.
Wow! The Mosaic artwork is so symbolic and I’m loving the interpretation for the first piece of art. It would be great for one of the bedroom walls.
These are so extraordinarily beautiful! I especially love the mother and child one.
Klimt is one of my favorites! I had The Tree of Life poster hanging in my college dorm.
These artworks are really stunningly beautiful! I am so amazed to see people who can create such masterpieces.
Wow! Thanks for this roundup. loved seeing the beautiful works of art by Klimt.
The Kiss is one of those pieces of art that I dream of having at home. I know I’ll never have the original one but even a replica of it in another form would be awesome.
There are so many intricacies and details that I was so oblivious to. I have seen a few of Klimt’s paintings before but never fully understood the depth of the painting.
Wow i’ve never seen this art before. It is very interesting and very intricate and colorful.
I imagine the disappointment after the ceiling mural and other public ridicule was difficult. Good for him that he kept pursuing his passion.
I like to look at art for sure. We are always visiting various museums and galleries. xx
Lovely collections of artwork. Those were a stunning pieces and it would be great if I can see them [personally.
I would like to see Gustav Klimt paintings in real. The colors look mesmerizing.
We saw this in Vienna and it was incredible. Klimt’s work is outstanding and the mosaic detail is just mesmerising!
This art is so interesting I had to come back for another peek! I want to really admire the symbolism and eclectic elements that other readers have pointed out!
such an amazing art! My favorite was the mother and child bonding
I love Klimt dreamy artwork and the way he incorporates gold and nature’s elements into his paintings.
I had not seen this work before, but I really enjoy it! Loved learning about this artist!!
I really like it all. Especially the wall art and outdoor patio.
These are really good art work great on wall art and outdoor patio.
Symbolism always looks interesting even if the painting is not my favorite art form. I like that portrait of a young Klim – so expressive!
My bff also has same frame as pic 2. Loved the artwork here and information in general.
This is amazing piece of art. I would love to see these all art.