Gustav Klimt
Stories behind the Works of Art
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Golden Rain, Danae (1907), Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt, genius of sensuality, said that every work of art is erotic. And there are not many erotic works like this one, which could even be included in the list of “explicit sex.”
Because the golden rain between Danae’s thighs is Zeus making love to her, as Greek mythology tells us.
Danae was the beautiful daughter of Acrisius and Eurydice. The oracle foretold her father’s death at the hands of his unborn grandson.
Acrisius comes up with a way to avoid being killed by his grandson: not to have a grandson. So he locked his daughter in a bronze chamber, so that she could not meet any man. However, Zeus noticed Danae’s beauty and presented himself as a shower of gold. He seduced the young woman and made her pregnant. As a result, Perseus was born (who later performed feats such as cutting off the head of the Medusa).
Upon learning of Perseus’ existence, Acrisius abandoned his daughter and grandson in a chest adrift at sea, but Zeus saved them. When Perseus returned to Argos, the grandfather ran away to Larissa to avoid the prophecy. One day Acrisius attended the celebration of some games without knowing that his grandson was participating. And in the discus throwing contest, a gust of wind deflected Perseus’ throw, and the discus landed on Acrisius’ head, killing him.
Conclusion: trying to outwit the oracle’s predictions makes no sense, since they will be fulfilled even in the craziest way we can imagine.
In the painting, we observe that Danae, despite being imprisoned in an “invulnerable” chamber, had her affair anyway and got pregnant. And we can appreciate her pleasure without any guilt in her expression.
Klimt defied morals and customs in an era (early twentieth century) when desire and female sexuality were heavily repressed. He preferred to create gorgeous, sensual, and erotic women who, above all, displayed impudence; they were defiant and powerful. Women ready to sweep away the old social mandates and reclaim their proper place in the world.
Recommended links:
Timeline: Moments of Gustav Klimt.
Timeline: from Neoclassicism till the end of the 19th century.
Characteristic Elements of Art Nouveau Painting.
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