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Gustav Klimt ((1862- 1918)) was an Austrian symbolist artist and was among the most leading people in the Vienna Secession movement. He was regarded as an artist who was far before his time, and much of the artwork that was produced through the Austrian born artist's career, was considered as controversial. Female body plays very important role in Klimt's art, it is acutally his main subject.  His paintings are marked by the frank eroticism and among all is the one, who used clearly sources towards the Japanese art as well as unique methods all through the Wiener Secession. A major example in its Kunst Werken are the little drawings used for the robes of human figires, which show even a lot more decorations than the rest of the composition. Despite the fact that Klimt's paintings were not greatly accepted in his time, some of the artworks create during his career, are seen as some of the most important and influential pieces to come out of Austria today.

The Founder of the Vienna Secession

In 1897 Klimt  founded the Vienna Secession with other artists as the first president. By that time Gustav Klimt had formed his own and typical art style, that can took over as trademark of Vienna Secession movement. Like impressionism, also art nouveau was a worldwide rise up on the traditional academic art style.

The Kiss Painting

Klimt's art style is very decorative. While the Art Nouveau movement prefered lines and contours. Klimt applied a great number of gold and silver colors in his paintings- undoubtedly an tradition from his father who was  a gold and silver engraver.

Klimt's paintings were a scandal at his time due to the present of nudity and also the slight sexuality and eroticism. The kiss which is Klimt's most famous artwork was first exhibited in 1908. As everything coming from Klimt's hands, it was highly controversial and adored at the same time.

Gustav Klimt created several artworks on traditional canvas. He regarded himself more as a mural artist and decorative painter. He designed posters and worked as an illustrator for magazines - most widely known Ver Sacrum (The Rite of Spring). Ver Sacrum wasa lot more than a magazine. it turned out a building where designers could display their art and release their thoughts in the magazine. The magazine was published from 1898 to 1903.

During 1900 to 1903 Gustav Klimt labored on commissions by the Vienna University for a group of ceiling murals. For his mural works Klimt used numerous typed of media - metal, glass as well as ceramics.

The Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph II didn't like Klimt's paintings and the Secessionists seriously. His drivers had orders not to pass any buildings showing Secessionist art.
The Split form the Secessionists

In 1905 klimt left the Vienna Secession after disputes and disagreements with another member, Josef Hofmann. Klimt extended his path. He went into design art for trend and jewelry. His knowledge of art as something that should not be confined to art academies, studios and canvases was similar to Alphonse Mucha's activities. The very idea alone was again invigorated with the Pop Art Movement in the 60s and 70s.

Prints and Posters

The graphic art of the Vienna Secessionists were modfied in really small numbers. For that reason, they are rare today. And the posters designed by Gustav Klimt are the most wanted after. An original poster is cost higher than a five digit dollar price. However, there are lots of reproductions on the market at very low prices.

Gustav Klimt's most popular oil painting reproductions including:

The Kiss
Farm Garden with Flowers
Lady with a feather hat
Judith 1

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