Gustav Klimt
Fundamental Paintings to Understand the History of Painting
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The Kiss (1908). Gustav Klimt
Gold leaf and oil on canvas. 180 cm x 180 cm
Belvedere Gallery. Vienna, Austria
Klimt was the leader of a movement called Vienna Secession which at the end of the 19th century imposed a new style called Modernism —art nouveau in France—.
The “modernist” artists were called that way because they rebelled against the conservative, judgmental morals of their predecessors.
Klimt was bold and created extremely sensual climates; some people even accused him of “pornographic.” And he achieved that sensuality by representing erotic situations in oneiric, exquisites, luxurious, full of splendor environments.
He is mainly recognized for the golden color and the ornamental elements of vivid colors. But not everything in his work is decorative: he also uses abstract elements of sexual symbology.
This painting is one of the most renown of Klimt, it belongs to the “golden phase” of the artist. He obtained the golden resource which identifies him by applying very thin sheets of gold obtained with the goldbeating technique on different surfaces and details of the painting. This resource is called “golden leaf.”
In Modernism the female figure prevailed, as in this work. The figure is not realistic but lengthened, slender to achieve more sensuality, one of the favorite themes of the movement.
Recommended links:
Timeline: from Neoclassicism till the end of the 19th century.
Characteristic Elements of Art Nouveau Painting.
Alfons Mucha, the Perfect Example of Art Nouveau (or Modernism).
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