Back to Klimt

Our Fine Arts class went to another museum today, which also features a lot of Klimt. It is the Leopold Museum. Something interesting about this museum is that all of the art was collected and bought by one man. His name is Rudolf Leopold and this museum, which has only been open for 10 years, showcases all of the art that he collected. The total number of pieces of art that he collected is well over 5,000! That's absolutely amazing!

There is a lot of talk going around about Klimt this year because it is the 150 year anniversary of his birth. He is a huge deal here in Vienna. Anyway, I have some images to show you of some of his works that were in the museum.

This painting is titled Death and Life. It's interesting how he titled it in that order, death first and life following after. Death is just patiently waiting to take his next victim. There is nothing that life can do because eventually it must face death. I think that's part of why I think that death seems so patient. He is in no hurry to make people pass his way. He knows that we all will eventually head his direction. There is so much to say about this painting. One interesting fact about this painting is that Klimt redid and added some things 5 years after he originally finished the painting. Below is an image of what it looked like before he changed it. Quite a striking contrast. 

I love it when I am able to get up close to a painting the see the small details of an artist, especially when it is not behind glass. Paintings from a distance look so smooth and well blended, but when approached up close, there is so much more character and personality given to the work. 

Also, what we perceive as one solid color is usually the mixture of many colors. Where Klimt has signed his name looks like yellow from a distance, but in the picture below, we can see yellow, pink, and even some green and gray. So, so, so cool.

Klimt also did a lot of landscape and nature scenes. I think it is very impressionistic, almost Monet-esque.

Aufziehendes Gewitter (Die große Pappel II)

Approaching Thunderstorm (The Large Poplar II)

Wiese mit Obstbäumen

Meadows and Trees

Attersee 

Klimt also painted beautiful portraits.

Klimt was asked to decorate a ceiling in the University of Vienna with images representing Medicine, Philosophy and Jurisprudence. Klimt never did paint these on the ceilings. His versions that he presented were rejected by the school for being too "radical" and "pornographic." These paintings were moved to Schloss Immendorf in lower Austria during World War II to be protected from German SS forces. Schloss Immendorf was set on fire as German SS forces were retreating, fearing that these paintings might fall into enemy's hands, namely the Russians. All that remains from these paintings are a few photographs and sketches. (edited June 5, 2015. Thank you anonymous comment for the correct information)

This is Klimt's depiction of Philosophy. I'm guessing that because Aristotle and Plato weren't prancing hand in hand across a sky full of life's questions was why it was rejected.

Here is Klimt's depiction of Medicine. No images of genius doctors saving lives here. There is depiction of death, which is probably the last thing any medical doctor or student wants to think about. They usually try to avoid that at all costs. There seems to be lots of pain and anguish going on as well. From my experiences, this is pretty accurate. I mean, every time I'm at the doctor's office or hospital, there is a lot of pain and crying, so, I've got your back, Klimt. I see where you are coming from.