Gustav Klimt

Visionary symbolist painter and leader of the Vienna Secession movement

Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) was an Austrian painter whose ornate, gold-leafed works like The Kiss redefined early 20th-century art. As a founder of the Vienna Secession, he broke from traditional academic styles to embrace symbolism and eroticism.

Klimt's 'Golden Phase' produced masterpieces such as Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, later known as 'The Woman in Gold'. His use of Byzantine mosaics and Japanese prints created a unique visual language that influenced Art Nouveau. Despite controversy over his sensual themes, he became a cultural icon.

Beyond painting, Klimt designed murals for the Vienna Burgtheater and the University of Vienna. His legacy endures in exhibitions worldwide, including the Guggenheim Museum. Discover more at the Klimt Foundation.