Klimt painted the theme of "sensual women in water" twice: in two works known as "Water Serpents I" and "Water Serpents II." The unambiguously lesbian embrace of his models would perhaps have been unacceptable publicly, and this is why Klimt renamed the work and gave it an allegorical theme. Also, by adding the fish-like serpent behind the bodies and adorning every surface with gold and pattern, Klimt was able to show the painting in Vienna without fear of censorship.
Klimt’s ornamental ingenuity here is unparallelled and the plain beauty of ornament could not have been visualized any better. Pattern, ornament, and outlandish and incredible shape-making override every resistance. You can see this in particular in his treatment of the human figures. Just look at the rollmop bodies — they might as well be sheets of pastry, to be stretched wide or folded over or cut out somehow.
This painting has recently been sold for $112 million to the daughter of a Qatari emir.
This feature has been requested by Kamila for Maciek. Happy birthday! :)
Water Serpents II
oil on canvas • 80 x 145 cm
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Gustav Klimt