Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt (14 July 1862 – 6 February 1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter, muralist and draughtsman. He is considered the most prominent member of the Vienna Secession, of which he was also chairman for some time. Characteristic of his later works, for which he became best known, is the "decorative ornamentalism" (in which he often also worked with gold leaf) and the suggestive-erotic symbolism. Klimt made a name for himself mainly with his portraits of women and allegorical works, but he also painted a large number of landscapes. Klimt's art was born during an artistic heyday in Belle Époque Vienna and is often associated with the Art Nouveau movement and Art Nouveau. His oeuvre is considered to be exemplary of the tension between conservatism and the urge for innovation.