Arts & Entertainment, Art
"Kiss" by Gustav Klimt: history of creation and description
The works of Gustav Klimt are recognized throughout the world, but the most popular is the painting "Kiss". It is not without reason called one of the best creations of the master. Ode to beauty, purity and love in all its boundlessness.
About the wizard
Born Gustav Klimt in Austria, in the middle of the XXI century. July 14, 1862 - a blessed day for Austrian painting, because it is thanks to the artist in it appeared, evolved and received the recognition of modernism. In his works he sang of the beauty of the female body in the first place, so a large part of his work is characterized by frank eroticism.
Klimt's father was an engraver, which, if he did not determine his fate, at least pushed him to the right path.
He received an appropriate education in the School of Decorative Arts, which is located in Vienna.
Life was merciful to the artist, he knew fame and honor while still alive, becoming a professor at the Academy of Arts of his homeland.
Gustav Klimt died on February 6, 1918.
Stages of development
Early works, "professional brush samples," mostly consisted of frescoes that adorned public institutions - for example, theaters. All the paintings were made in the style of "naturalism".
The first manifestations of individuality, which fully showed the picture "Kiss", can be observed in the design of the Museum of Art History. It was there that Klimt in 1891 designed the vault of the staircase, depicting allegorical figures that showed the artist's love for clear, verified silhouettes and ornamentalism. However, over time, the principle of construction works is changing - by the end of the XIX century they acquire more symbolism and decorative elements.
Gustav Klimt - without exaggeration the focus of the Austrian avant-garde at the turn of the century. He took an active part in the activities of the Secession community, which was founded by innovators in the field of painting.
The most significant works of Klimt (and the famous painting "Kiss" including) belong to the late period of creativity - it is at this stage that all portraits are remarkable for their transparency, subtle effect of the "mosaic" and complex images that change the character even depending on the change of the viewing angle . The artist's works clearly show the unity and struggle of opposites, which are sung by philosophers. On the one hand, Gustav is eager for freedom in the process of depicting objects. This thirst breaks the canons, makes us perceive the written objects from the point of view of symbolism, since Klimt tries to convey to the viewer all the variability and incomprehensibility of the world, which are higher than the reality and time that we feel. On the other hand, it worships what exists today, praises nature in all its naturalness, smoothing out ornamentation.
Crown of creation
The greatest glory among connoisseurs of Art Nouveau and art in general was found in the picture of G. Klimt "The Kiss".
It is worth noting that this work belongs to the "golden era" of the artist - it was then that his passion for the decorative design of works, expressed in the abundance of gilding, appeared.
However, Klimt's works are such that gold does not seem vulgar and does not suggest thoughts about thick-cheeked cherubs. Color in this case acts as a catalyst, which enhances the overall effect produced by the picture.
The author of the painting "Kiss" worked on it during the year, occupying a completely creative period between 1907 and 1908.
History of creation
According to the generally accepted opinion, the history of the appearance of the picture is as follows. Count, whose name did not reach us, ordered the artist a picture as a gift for his bride. The main condition of the customer was that the count with the bride should have been depicted as having merged in a passionate kiss.
As the artist did the order, everyone knows, but the aristocrat, striving to impress his beloved, was pleased. Nevertheless, he was interested in one question. For what reason did the lips of the heroes of the painting never touch each other? Klimt responded that "this was the plan," he strove to express fully the love of longing and desire that precede a kiss. The answer satisfied the customer, and he presented the picture to his lover. The girl was so impressed with the work that she immediately accepted the offer of the hand and heart.
After a while, when the picture Kiss Klimt was already known, the story was supplemented by the author himself. It turns out that in the process of writing Gustav himself felt attracted to the girl. And out of a feeling of jealousy he never allowed the Count's lips to touch her lips.
Description external
The composition of the picture is quite simple - it is not overwhelmed by the abundance of actors or the complexity of the overall situation. In this whole Klimt - complete sincerity and description of only what he really interested.
A flower meadow, located on a rock. A loving couple in this glade, detached from the whole world, immersed exclusively in each other and a general feeling. A golden aura, a general detachment of the picture, not tied to either the place or the era. Thanks to this, the impression of the scale of the action and its inability to cruel time is created. No history, no harm to human and natural - nothing. The picture "Kiss" (photo) shows the audience just lovers.
General meaning
As already mentioned earlier, this canvas was written during the "golden age" of Klimt, when he attached great importance to the decorative expression of his zadumok. By and large, at that time a significant role in the popularity of the artist's work was played by his love for gold leaf. This color has influenced the audience at all times, which can be called magical - it attracted, fascinated, gave weight and inspired a sense of solemnity that was scraping to the bone. It's no wonder that gold played the first violin in the process of decorating religious buildings, is not it?
Of course, no one can certainly say what exactly Gustav Klimt meant in the process of writing his work. The description of the picture "Kiss" by anyone who saw it, is subjective. However, almost all show the same feelings.
The dazzling radiance emanating from the "Kiss" fully conveys the meaning of the picture. The depth of the image is reduced to a minimum - no transitions, a full sense of a two-dimensional plane. Due to this move the space of the canvas seems almost unlimited.
Yes, and the poses of men and women are eloquent - he turned away from the viewer, completely turning his attention to the beloved, isolating himself from everything external. He and she are busy only with themselves.
Influence of colors and ornaments
Most critics said that the picture "Kiss" is an alliance in all its scale, but at the same time emphasizes the garments of the heroes. However, if you look closely, you can see the contrast in clothing - a man has hard, clear shapes, fields in gray, black and white, while the woman has gentle rounded bends, marked with a motley palette. In connection with the fact that they are united by a common golden halo, this difference in images is neglected, especially since it is smoothed out due to the general mosaic ornamentation of the picture.
Erotic background
It is noteworthy that the source of the halo, its backbone, is a man. It is he who surrounds the woman, pressing her lips to her. This method was used by Gustav Klimt. "Kiss" is a picture that sounds like a triumph of nature, based on the strength of a man and the woman's suppleness. It is the man who determines the overall energy of the canvas - powerful and majestic, yet gentle, loving. Its contour is not coincidental with the bell, the masculine nature - it once again emphasizes some true, "animal" connotation of relations, in which there is no place for sociality, struggle for rights and other elements of life of those years trying to wash the border between the sexes. Being the opposite of the beloved, the woman is depicted kneeling, joined to him, her whole posture showing obedience and the sheet.
A single kiss?
Unfortunately, many only one work assess the talent of such an artist as Gustav Klimt. "Kiss" - a picture of genius in its sincerity and dazzling, but its creativity is not limited to it. Filling this injustice, we will highlight some of the artist's works, which deserve no less close attention.
Athena Pallada
Strangely enough, the counterweight to the "Kiss", but from this no less sincere. This picture was written a couple of years before the advent of the XX century - it was at this time began to appear the first opportunity for a woman in manifesting herself as a person. Even more - at that time the thought of the dominance of representatives of the beautiful half of mankind was allowed.
Golden Adele
In this picture, created by the order of an industrialist, who decided to give a gift to his wife, Klimt turned in all its might. It is an organic tandem of realism and abstraction. The interlacing of Mycenaean spirals and Egyptian eyes adds exotics and hidden eroticism to work for a reason. Again, the passed scenario with love, the main difference is that this time the artist received a mutual feeling. The painting "Kiss" portrayed the zenith of the couple's love, in "Golden Adele" Klimt depicted the withering of affection, which did not affect the beauty, strength and radiance of a woman.
Her name was Adel Bloch Bower. She was married to a man who was much older than her, suffering from headaches and had a keen attachment to tobacco. Klimt was hired by her husband in order to write a portrait of his beloved wife. Their meeting took place in 1904, at the same time work began on the picture. And a romance between the master and the model.
Mr. Bloch Bauer noted the relationship between Gustav and Adele, but did not start a scandal. He did it differently - did so that in an endless pursuit of an ideal portrait, the couple spent as much time together as possible. The plan was a success - the feeling was extinguished, the lovers were bored with each other. The secret relationship ended immediately, as the Golden Adele was completed.
Similar articles
Trending Now