Art Appreciation Lecture Series 2014 Realism to Surrealism: European art and culture 1848-1936

Klimt and Fin de Siècle

Lorraine Kypiotis

16 / 17 July 2014

Lecture summary:

The period between 1897 and 1918 was a diverse, and at times, difficult one that transformed Vienna into one of the most important artistic centres of Europe. The art from this period stands out for its modernity, and is characterized by its claim for creative freedom. It was, in essence, one generation of young artists, the Secessionists, who effected the transition from the late 19th century academic style into a 20th-century avant-garde movement. Their works, reflecting Modern concerns and themes were representative of an international movement, and resulted in an explosion of creativity that took over the Austrian capital for two decades. Among the founders of the Secession and, without a doubt its most prominent painter, was Gustave Klimt. Beautiful, sensuous and above all erotic, Klimt’s paintings speak of a world of opulence and leisure. His allegories, portraits, landscapes and erotic figures do not refer to external events but strive to create a world where beauty and sensuality are dominant.

Slide list:

1. Klimt, Wasserschlangen I, 1904, mixed media on Vellum, Österreichische Galerie Belvedere 2. Klimt, Wasserschlangen II, 1904, oil on canvas, Private collection. 3. Volkel,Café Griensteidl (1896) 4. Klimt, Goldfish, 1901-02, 181x66.5cm, oil on canvas,Swiss Institute for Art Research, Zurich, Switzerland 5. Klimt, Fable, 1883, 84.5x117cm, oil on canvas, Kunsthistorisches, Vienna 6. Klimt, Idyll, 1884, 49.5x73.5cm, oil on canvas, Kunsthistorisches, Vienna 7. Klimt, The Old Burgtheatre, 1888-89, 82x92cm, gouache on paper, Kunsthistorisches, Vienna. 8. Klimt, Drawing for the Allegory of Sculpture, 1896, 41.8 x 31.3 cm, Kunsthistorisches, Vienna 9. Group portrait of the members of the Secession taken on the occasion of XIVth exhibition 1902 10. Designs by Hoffman, Moser and Wagner 11. Van Gogh, The Plain of Auvers,1890, Oil on canvas, 50 x 100 cm, Österreichische Galerie, Vienna 12. Monet, The Chef Pere Paul, 1882, Oil on canvas. Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. 13. Edvard Munch, Summer Night in Aagaardstrand, 1904, Oil on canvas.99x103.5cm, Musée d'Orsay 14. Klimt, Posters for the 1st Secession exhibition 15. Alfred Roller, 1898, Cover of the first issue of Ver Sacrum 16. Josef Maria Olbrich, The Secession Building Vienna, 1898 *17. Klimt, Pallas Athene, 1898, oil on canvas, 75 x 75cm, Kunsthistoriches, Vienna 18. Klimt, Nudas Veritas, 1899, oil on canvas, 252 x 56.2, Bild-Archiv der Osterreichischen, Nationalbibliothek, Vienna 19. Klimt, Philosophy, 1899-1900, destroyed 1945. 20. Klimt, Medicine, 1899-1903, destroyed 1945. 20. Klimt, Medicine, Compositional oil sketch, Private Collection

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21. Klimt, Jurisprudence, 1899-1907, destroyed 1945. 22. Klimt, The Beethoven Frieze, 1902, the Secession building, Vienna. *23. Klimt, , 1907-8, 180x180cm, oil on canvas, Österreichische Galerie Belvedere *24. Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907, 138x138cm, oil on canvas, NeueGalerie, NY. *25. Klimt, Danae, 1907, 77 x 83, oil on canvas, Private collection, Austria. 26. Klimt, Judith II, 1909, 178 x 46cm. oil on canvas, Ca Pesaro, Venice. 27. Klimt, Judith I, 1901, 84 x 42cm, oil on canvas, Österreichische Galerie Belvedere *28. Klimt, , 1903, 189 x 67 cm, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Canada, Ottowa. 29. Egon Schiele, Self-portrait with Decorative Drapes, 1909, Private collection 30. Egon Schiele, Self portrait with hands on Chest, 1910, Private collection 31. Egon Schiele, Nude Black-haired GIrl, Watercolour, Albertina, Vienna. 32. Oskar Kokoschka, Poster for the Kunstchau, 1908, Lithograph. 33. Klimt and Emilie Floge, 1909, Photo: H. Bohler 34. Letter from Klimt to Emilie Floge from Munich, 27 May, 1897, Private Collection 35. Emilie Floge wearing a Reform dress, 1913. Photo:Friedrich G Walker 36. Klimt, Portrait of Emilie Floge, 1902, 181x84cm. oil on canvas. Kunsthistorisches.

Reference:

Tobias G. Natter et al (publishers) Klimt: Up Close and Personal, Paintings-Letters-Insights (2012. Leopold Museum, Vienna)

Vergo, Peter Art in Vienna:1898-1918. Klimt, Kokoshcka, Schiele and their Contemporaries (1981)

Images:

Klimt, Pallas Athene, 1898, oil on canvas, 75 x 75cm, Kunsthistoriches, Vienna

Klimt, The Kiss, 1907-8, 180x180cm, oil on canvas, Österreichische Galerie Belvedere

Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907, 138x138cm, oil on canvas, NeueGalerie, NY

Klimt, Danae, 1907, 77 x 83, oil on canvas, Private collection, Austria.

Klimt, Hope I, 1903, 189 x 67 cm, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Canada, Ottowa.