!!!Klimt, Gustav

b. Vienna, July 14, 1862, 
d. Vienna, Feb. 6, 1918, painter, draughtsman and graphic artist; 
brother of Ernst  Klimt, father of G.  Ucicky. Son of an engraver, 
important representative of the Vienna Secession  Secession. 1876-1883 
studied at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts with J. V. Berger and 
F. Laufberger, from 1879 worked with his brother Ernst K. and F.  
Matsch Sr. The paintings created in this period were partly 
decorative, partly influenced by H.  Makart and were designed for 
public buildings (theatre of Reichenberg 1882/83, Bukarest 1885, 
Rijeka 1885, Karlsbad 1886; Hermesvilla in Lainz, Vienna 1885, 
staircases of the Vienna Burgtheater 1886-1888, staircase of the 
Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna 1890/91). After the death of his 
brother in 1892, K. was commissioned to paint the ceiling frescoes 
(The Faculties) in the Aula of the University of Vienna together with 
F. Matsch (1894). In 1905 he cancelled the order, as the presentation 
of his "Philosophy" and of his "Medicine" had provoked harsh protests. 
In 1897 K. was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, which he 
chaired until his resignation in 1905. His style was subject to 
significant changes, he broke with the academic ideal and his later 
works were characterised by intensive colours, frequent use of golden 
backgrounds, ornamental design of surfaces and sometimes strong 
symbolism. As the main representative of the Vienna Secession K. was 
in a very influential position among the artists and persons engaged 
on the cultural sector of the monarchy and was a popular portrait 
painter of Viennese society (S. Knips, A. Bloch-Bauer etc.). In 1902 
he created the Beethoven Frieze for the Secession. Close friendship 
with the founders of the Wiener Werkstaette (1903) J.  Hoffmann and K. 
 Moser. In 1905 K. designed his sketch of the mosaic frieze of the 
Palais Stoclet in Brussels, which was executed in 1911 by the workshop 
of L.  Forstner. K. also became famous for his landscapes and, in 
particular for his extensive graphic work, which shows a marked erotic 
element. K.'s work constitutes a link between  Historicism and modern 
tendencies, such as the art of E.  Schiele, and he therefore holds a 
key position in Austrian art history.

!Literature
F. Novotny and J. Dobai, G. K., 1967; A. Strobl, G. K. - 
Zeichnungen, 4 vols., 1980-1989; G. Fliedl, G. K., 1989; C. M. 
Nebehay, G. K., 1992; G. K., exhibition catalogue, Zurich 1992; G. 
Frodl, K., 1992; M. Bisanz-Prakken, Heiliger Fruehling. G. K. und die 
Anfaenge der Wiener Secession 1895-1905, 1999.



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