Pallas Athena

Gustav Klimt was a prominent Austrian symbolist from the turn of the 20th century. His work remains widely popular almost a century after his death, due as much to its sensuality and eroticism as to the fact that his vision remains vibrant and relevant even in today's highly visual and media-drenched society. Mythological imagery was a frequent topic of Klimt's oeuvre. I find the glaring eyes and stiff, powerful stance of his Athena to be quite compelling. I love the juxtaposition of the classical Greek figure in the background with the vaguely Asiatic face on her breastplate.