Gustav Klimt
You know The Kiss, by Gustav Klimt (I believe it is now one of the most reproduced artworks on earth ... you can find it everywhere, including prints, mugs, books, and product packaging). Today, we present a sketch directly related to the famous painting, and another scene painted by Klimt for the Stoclet frieze known as Fulfillment.
In this drawing, we see a pair of lovers shown in profile. Its small scale, precise execution, and the subtle interplay of gold and the red colored pencil lend the work a distinctive refinement.
The woman’s arms, wrapped around the man in sharply articulated, interlocking lines, create a striking structure in which the rectangular sleeve of the kimono dominates the composition. Their heads, gently leaning into one another, subtly foreshadow the final arrangement seen in The Kiss.
The sweeping outline of the bare buttocks emerges delicately from the ornamental setting, rendered with particular finesse.
Here, too, Klimt introduces psychological and erotic nuances. He highlights the woman’s tensed hands and the rhythmic counterpoint they create with the man’s broad, enveloping embrace.
P.S. If Klimt’s refined lines and quiet intensity speak to you, you’ll love planning your days with our Vienna Secession Planner. It brings the elegance, geometry, and spirit of Klimt’s circle into your everyday routine—perfect for anyone who wants a little Secession brilliance woven into the year.
P.P.S. Are you surprised to see a drawing by this icon of Secession? Here are 5 facts you might not know about Gustav Klimt!