Gustav Klimt. The Complete Paintings

Gustav Klimt's (1862–1918) artwork is known for its eroticism, dazzling surfaces, and artistic experimentation. This monograph features his major works, authoritative art historical commentary, and access to his archive. It explores his role in the Secessionist movement, candid rendering of the female body, and "golden phase" of gold leaf. The book also examines the art world's polarized reception to his pictures, showcasing his blend of tradition and daring.

Format: Hardback
Length: 604 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2021
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Over a century after his passing, the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) continues to astound with his unapologetic eroticism, dazzling surfaces, and artistic experimentation. This monograph presents a comprehensive collection of Klimt's major works, accompanied by authoritative art historical commentary and exclusive access to the artist's archive. Accompanied by high-quality illustrations, including new photography of the renowned Stoclet Frieze, the book follows Klimt's significant involvement in the 1897 Secessionist movement, his candid portrayal of the female body, and his luminous "golden phase" characterized by the use of gold leaf, which added a shimmering tone and texture to iconic masterpieces such as The Kiss and Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, also known as The Woman in Gold.

Through luminous spreads and meticulously curated details, the monograph traces the repertoire of Japanese, Byzantine, and allegorical stimuli that informed Klimt's flattened perspectives, symbolic vocabulary, and mosaic-like textures. Drawing upon contemporary critics and voices, the book also examines the art world's polarized reception to Klimt's pictures, as well as his own stylistic trajectory. From his landscape painting to erotic works to the controversial ceiling for the Great Hall of the University of Vienna, we see how Klimt's blend of tradition and daring divided the press and public, with some condemning him as a pornographer and others hailing him as a modern master.

Weight: 4318g
Dimension: 263 x 350 x 52 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836566612