Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:
Art Nouveau > Vienna Secession
Date and Place of Birth:
July 14, 1862, Baumgarten (near Vienna), Austria
Life:
Klimt was a lightning rod for harsh criticism throughout his career. He either worked in the "wrong" style, was too "vague" for popular tastes or was far, far too "explicit" for Viennese sensibilities. After repeated skirmishes with both the State and the Artists Association, Klimt and ten other like-minded artists formed the Vienna Secession in 1897. Though the group was wildly successful, inevitable personality and style clashes arose and Klimt resigned from the Secession in 1905.
He is best known today for his sensual portraits of women (clothed or otherwise), enhancing his jewel-like palette with gold and silver paints, mother of pearl and bits of real jewelry, and his immense talent as a draftsman. Klimt was also a friend and mentor (though not teacher) to Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka.
Important Works:
- Medicine, 1900-01
- Beethoven Frieze, 1902
- The Three Ages of Woman ("Die drei Lebensalter der Frau"), 1905
- The Kiss, 1907
- Death and Life, 1908-11
Date and Place of Death:
February 6, 1918, Vienna, Austria
How To Pronounce "Klimt":
The "i" is short, as in "itch." Think of the name "Kim," stick an "l" in there and add t's "tuh" sound on the end. "Klimt."
Go to Artist Profiles: Names beginning with "K" or Artist Profiles: Main Index
