Along with his
brother and Franz Matsch, Klimt transferred to Ferdinand Lauftberger's
painting class in 1878. During the years 1879-1896, Klimt was commissioned
to decorate theatres and museums, painting ceilings and murals. Klimt
was perhaps the centreal figure in the Viennese Secession, which took
place in 1897. He remained its president until 1903, and it is only
after his own secession from the movement that he started painting
landscapes.
Although criticized by the public, Klimt's style of using patterns,
movement and color continued to develop. Klimt's "golden period" sprung
from his exposure to Byzantine Frescoes, to the mosaics of the churches
of Ravenna, to Japanese art, and to painters such as Berne-Jones and
Alma-Tadema. His most well-known work of this period is "The Kiss."
In 1909, at the end of his golden period, Klimt traveled to Paris
and Spain. From 1910-11, he participated in exhibits in Venice and
Rome. In 1917 he received honorary membership into the Academies of
Fine Arts in Vienna and Munich. He continued to paint actively until
he suffered a stroke and died in February, 1918.
|
Featured
Paintings
