Description
When Klimt died on the February 6, 1918, all Vienna mourned the loss of their greatest painter. The impressive scale of the exhibition 'Dream and Reality: Vienna 1870-1930', mounted in Vienna, Paris and New York in recent years attests to the world-wide importance of Klimt's work today. Despite his humble origins, Klimt, through his extraordinary talent, achieved a position of great esteem in Viennese society. He was one of the founders of the 'Jugendstil' and president of the Vienna Secessin, a movement which had its counterpart in the equally controversial 'Sezession' in Berlin of which Munch was a member. Klimt became the spokesman for an enterprising new generation of artists and the movement won international acclaim, exhibiting work in the Secession House from 1898 onwards. The exhibition heralded a radical change in Klimt's style and the dawning of his 'golden period', examples of which are faithfully reproduced within the fine collection of color plates in this book. The author writes lucidly on the complexities and Klimt's genius, providing the reader with a fresh and inspiring insight into his work. There is also a comprehensive study of significant background elements such as the general development of art in Klimt's lifetime. The author writes, too, on the artist's friendship with Emilia Floge and on his erotic drawings, attempting an interesting and sensitive interpretation of Klimt's relationships with women. Klimt will remain one of the revolutionary artists to be revered by many, and this book pays tribute to the exquisite rarity of his art. -- from dust jacket.
