Gustav Klimt's works are recognized all over the world, but the painting "Kiss" is most popular. She is not without reason called one of the best creations of the master. Ode to beauty, purity and love in all its infinity.
About the master
Gustav Klimt was born in Austria, in the middle of the XXI century. July 14, 1862 is a blessed day for Austrian painting, because it was thanks to the artist that appeared, developed and received modern recognition in it. In his works, he sang the beauty of the female body in the first place, therefore, a considerable part of his work is inherent in frank eroticism.
Klimtās father was an engraving artist, which, if he didnāt determine his future fate, at least pushed him on the right track.
He received his education at the School of Decorative Arts, which is located in Vienna.
Life was merciful to the artist, he knew fame and honor during his lifetime, becoming a professor at the Academy of Arts of his homeland.
Gustav Klimt died on February 6, 1918.
Stages of development
Early works, āprofessional brush testsā, for the most part consisted of frescoes that adorned public institutions - for example, theaters. All paintings were made in the style of "naturalism".
The first manifestations of individuality, which the painting āKissā fully showed, can be observed in the design of the Museum of Art History. It was there that Klimt in 1891 designed the arch of the stairs, depicting allegorical figures that showed the artistās love for clear, verified silhouettes and ornamentalism. However, over time, the principle of the construction of works is changing - by the end of the XIX century they acquire more symbolism and decorative elements.
Gustav Klimt is, without exaggeration, the focus of the Austrian avant-garde at the turn of the century. He took an active part in the activities of the Secession community, which was founded by innovators in the field of painting.
Klimtās most significant works (including the famous painting āKissā) relate to the late period of creativity - at this stage all portraits are distinguished by amazing transparency, subtle āmosaicā effect and complex images that change character even depending on a change in viewing angle . The artistās works clearly demonstrate the unity and struggle of opposites that are sung by philosophers. On the one hand, Gustav is eager for freedom in the process of depicting objects. This thirst breaks the canons, makes us perceive written objects from the point of view of symbolism, since Klimt tries to convey to the viewer all the variability and incomprehensibility of the world, which is higher than the reality and time that we feel. On the other hand, it worships what it is now, glorifies nature in all its naturalness, smoothing out ornamental patterns.
Crown of Creation
The greatest fame among connoisseurs of both Art Nouveau and art as a whole was found by G. Klimt's painting "Kiss".
It is worth noting that this work belongs to the "golden era" of the artist - it was then that his fascination with the decorative design of works appeared, expressed in the abundance of gilding.
However, Klimtās work is such that gold does not seem vulgar and does not inspire thoughts of thick-skinned cherubs. Color in this case plays the role of a catalyst, which enhances the overall effect produced by the picture.
The author of the painting "Kiss" worked on it for a year, taking a completely creative interval between 1907 and 1908.
History of creation
According to the generally accepted opinion, the history of the appearance of the picture is as follows. The count, whose name did not reach us, ordered the artist a painting as a gift for his bride. The main condition of the customer was that the count with the bride should have been portrayed merged in a passionate kiss.
As the artist completed the order, everyone knows, but the aristocrat, who was eager to impress his beloved, was pleased. Nevertheless, he was interested in one question. For what reason did the lips of the heroes of the picture never touch each other? Klimt replied that āsuch was the planā, he sought to fully express the love of longing and desire that preceded the kiss. The answer satisfied the customer, and he gave the picture to his beloved. The girl was so impressed by the work that she immediately accepted the marriage proposal.
After some time, when Klimt's painting āKissā had already gained fame, the story was supplemented by the author himself. It turns out that in the process of writing, Gustav himself felt attracted to the girl. And out of a feeling of jealousy, he did not allow the count's lips to touch her lips.
External description
The composition of the picture is quite simple - it is not overloaded either by the abundance of actors, or by the complexity of the overall situation. This is the whole of Klimt - complete sincerity and a description of only what is really interesting to him.
Flower meadow located on a rock. A loving couple in this meadow, estranged from the whole world, immersed exclusively in each other and a common feeling. Golden aura, the general detachment of the picture, not tied to either place or era. This gives the impression of the scale of the action and its inability to cruel time. No history, no human and natural troubles - nothing. The painting "Kiss" (photo) shows the viewer just lovers.
General meaning
As already mentioned, this canvas was painted during the period of Klimt's āGolden Ageā, when he attached great importance to the decorative expression of his ideas. By and large, at that time a considerable role in the popularity of the artist's works was played by his love of gold leaf. This color at all times influenced the audience, which can be called magical - it attracted, fascinated, gave weight and inspired a feeling of solemnity that made its way to the bones. It is not surprising that it was gold that played the first violin in the process of decorating religious buildings, right?
Of course, no one can surely say now what exactly Gustav Klimt had in mind in the process of writing his work. Description of the painting "Kiss" by anyone who saw her is subjective. However, almost all show the same feelings.
The dazzling radiance emanating from the āKissā fully conveys the meaning of the picture. Depth of the image is reduced to a minimum - no transitions, a complete feeling of a two-dimensional plane. Thanks to this move, the canvas space seems almost limitless.
Yes, and the poses of men and women are eloquent to the utmost - he turned away from the viewer, completely turning his attention to his beloved, isolating himself from everything external. He and she are only occupied with themselves.
The influence of flowers and ornaments
Most critics said that the painting "Kiss" is a union in all its scope, but at the same time focuses on the robes of the heroes. However, if you look closely, you can see the contrast in the clothes - the man has hard, clear forms, fields in tones of gray, black and white, while the woman has gentle rounded bends, highlighted by a variegated palette. Due to the fact that they are united by a common golden halo, this difference in images is neglected, especially since it is smoothed out due to the general mosaic ornament of the picture.
Erotic background
It is noteworthy that the source of the halo, its skeleton, is a man. It is he who surrounds the woman, clinging to her lips. It was no accident that Gustav Klimt took advantage of this technique. āKissā is a picture that sounds like a triumph of nature, based on the strength of a man and the suppleness of a woman. It is a man who determines the general energy of the canvas - powerful and majestic, but at the same time gentle, loving. Its contour is not accidentally similar to a bell, masculine nature - it once again emphasizes a certain true, āanimalā subtext of relationships in which there is no place for sociality, the struggle for rights and other elements of life of those years, which tried to blur the boundary between the sexes. Being the opposite of her lover, the woman is depicted kneeling, sided with him, showing her humility and sheet with all her pose.
A single kiss?
Unfortunately, many only in one work appreciate the talent of such an artist as Gustav Klimt. "Kiss" is a brilliant picture in its sincerity and dazzle, but his work is not limited to it. Compensating for this injustice, we will highlight some of the artistās works that deserve no less attention.
Athena Pallas
Oddly enough, the āKissā counterweight, but from this no less sincere. This picture was painted a couple of years before the onset of the 20th century - it was at this time that the first opportunities for a woman to manifest herself as a person began to appear. Even more - at that time the idea of āāthe dominance of the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity was allowed.
The personification of these trends is the
goddess Athena Pallas - the center of the mind, wisdom and determination. She is self-confident, she has no doubt of victory, she just needs to reach out. The picture "Kiss" said otherwise, right? Nevertheless, elements are already appearing in the painting that will become Klimtās trump card in the future - the interweaving of the body and ornament, the hero of the painting and the background are one. And just look into those eyes! All the inhuman strength and power of the world in their eyes.
Golden Adele
In this picture, commissioned by an industrialist who decided to make a present to his wife, Klimt turned to his full potential. It is an organic tandem of realism and abstraction. The interweaving of Mycenaean spirals and Egyptian eyes adds exoticism and hidden eroticism to the work for a reason. Once again, the scenario passed with love is repeated, the main difference is that this time the artist got a mutual feeling. The painting āKissā depicted the zenith of a coupleās love, while in āGolden Adeleā Klimt depicted a withering affection that did not affect the beauty, strength and radiance of a woman.
Her name was Adele Bloch Bauer. She was married to a man who was much older than her, suffered from headaches and had an acute attachment to tobacco. Klimt was hired by her husband in order to paint a portrait of her beloved wife. Their meeting took place in 1904, then work on the painting began. And a romance between the master and the model.
Mr. Bloch Bauer noticed the relationship between Gustav and Adele, but did not start a scandal. He did otherwise - made sure that in an endless pursuit of an ideal portrait, the couple spent as much time as possible together. The plan was a success - the feeling died out, the lovers got tired of each other. The secret relationship ended right away, as Golden Adele was added.