Gottfried Fliedl Book order

The Kiss of the most fascinating painter of Vienna’s Belle Epoque ... Gustav Klimt’s art is thoroughly fin de siècle.It expresses the apocalyptic atmosphere of Vienna’s upper-middle-class society — a society devoted to the cultivation of aesthetic awareness and the cult of pleasure. The ecstatic joy which Klimt (1862–1918) and his contemporaries found — or hoped to find — in beauty was constantly overshadowed by death, and death therefore plays an important role in Klimt’s art. Klimt’s fame, however, rests on his reputation as one of the greatest erotic painters and graphic artists of his times. Particularly his drawings, which have been widely admired for their artistic excellence, are dominated by the erotic portrayal of women. Klimt saw the world "in female form." Author Gottfried Fliedlalso discusses the Secession movement and Klimt’s role within this important group of artists.

Gustav Klimt's unique style combines sensuality, realism, and spirituality to make his work recognizable and among the most popular in the history of art. His primary focus on women has led to the most ethereal portraits and murals ever produced. The text explores Vienna at the turn of the century and Klimt's importance in its society and within the context of the modern art movement. 60 + color illustrations, faithfully reproduced.

Gustav Klimt's art is thoroughly fin de siècle. It expresses the apocalyptic atmosphere of Vienna's upper middle-class society--a society devoted to the cultivation of aesthetic awareness and the cult of pleasure. The ecstatic joy which Klimt and his contemporaries found -or hoped to find--in beauty was constantly overshadowed by death. And death therefore plays an important role in Klimt's art. Klimt's fame, however, rests on his reputation as one of the greatest erotic painters and graphic artists of his times. Particularly his drawings, which have been widely admired for their artistic excellence, are dominated by the erotic portrayal of women. Klimt saw the world "in female form". Author Gottfried Fliedl also discusses the Secession movement and Klimt's role within this group of artists. Examining Klimt's work against the background of his times, he gives an appraisal of the artist while at the same time raising the critical issues.--From publisher description.