Gustav Klimt: Painting, Design and Modern Life

Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) remains one of the most popular and influential artists of the 20th century. His ornate, sensual paintings, often charged with eroticism and embellished with gold, have been reproduced as bestselling posters, cards, and book jackets, familiar to many who know little of the artist who created them. Published to accompany a major exhibition at Tate Liverpool, Gustav Klimt explores the life and work of this unique and intriguing figure, who was at the epicenter of the cultural renaissance that swept Vienna at the turn of the last century.

Central to the book is the first thorough examination of the relationship between Klimt’s paintings and mosaics and the work of architect Josef Hofmann, a close friend of the artist. The book also examines the all-inclusive design culture in Vienna that spanned clothing, jewelry, furniture, and interior design. Essays by leading critics concentrate on key works and key moments, including the foundation of the Vienna Secession; the exhibition of The Beethoven Frieze; and the collaborations with architects and designers in creating total artistic environments such as the the Palais Stoclet in Brussels. An essay on Klimt’s erotic works, particularly his drawings, examines his relationship with the women he portrayed. Lavishly illustrated to capture the intensity of Klimt’s palette, this volume is a fittingly sumptuous tribute to the achievement of a unique artistic innovator.