Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt was an Austrian symbolist painter and a leading figure in the Vienna Secession movement. Best known for his sensual, gilded portraits and allegorical works, Klimt combined Byzantine-inspired ornamentation with eroticism and psychological depth. His Golden Phase includes iconic works like The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, characterized by intricate patterns, gold leaf, and intimate compositions. Klimt challenged academic norms and explored themes of love, death, and femininity. Though controversial in his time, he became one of Austria’s most celebrated artists, influencing art nouveau and modern decorative arts.