The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss is a golden masterpiece of Art Nouveau (0r Jugendstil in German) that blends romance, symbolism, and Byzantine influence into one of Vienna’s most iconic works of art.
Measuring an impressive 6 feet by 6 feet (or 180 cm) this painting is located in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere Museum in Vienna
The Kiss, by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, is an Art Nouveau or “Jugendstil” (in German) painting completed in 1907-1908 that depicts a romantic embrace between a male and female figure, illustrating the beauty of passion and intimacy. The painting measures an impressive 6 feet by 6 feet (180 cm x 180 cm), forming a perfect square rather than the often assumed vertical orientation, and it is housed in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, Austria. Klimt’s painting employs a more refined technique that combines oil paint with gold leaf on canvas, the gold leaf method. The final product is an attractive golden painting that reminds the viewer of medieval or Byzantine mosaics, a direct influence from his visit to Ravenna, Italy in 1903.
Back at home in Vienna, the city was thriving with intellectual, psychological, architectural and artistic innovation. The late 19th century marked a period for modernization and cultural flourishing in the capital city. In 1857 Emperor Franz Joseph transformed Vienna by commissioning the Ringstrasse, a 3-mile (5.2 km) circular boulevard that encircled the historical center of the city. This ambitious project facilitated the growing bourgeoisie to build grand mansions and prominent public buildings along its path. Many of these impressive buildings required decoration both externally and internally. Gustav Klimt along with his brother Ernst became successful mural painters who decorated murals, friezes and palaces. Klimt studied at the Vienna School of Arts from 1876 to 1883, and in that same year he, his brother, and fellow student Franz Matsch opened an independent studio specializing in mural paintings.
The Kiss features a gold-cloaked couple, with only their hands, feet and faces visible. The man is painted holding his partner close and has his neck reaching out perhaps showing his strength and desire. He kisses her gently, while the woman yields to the moment with her eyes and mouth closed. Both figures are crowned in pagan-style crowns, despite the clear influence of Christian and Byzantine mosaics or icon paintings. Their embrace forms a golden halo, reinforcing the inspiration Klimt drew from Ravenna. This painting is also an excellent example of the use of the Golden Ratio, as the composition feels naturally balanced and harmonious. The figures are on the edge of a cliff with flowers underneath and the background setting makes them appear in the middle of space, lost in eternity emphasizing their intimacy. Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss captures the spiritual pull and tenderness of the beauty of passion through elaborate decoration and symbolism. It was inspired by earlier works such as Edvard Munch’s The Kiss which carries a more emotional and expressive feeling, and more importantly, Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss celebrates physical human connection. Klimt’s interpretation stands alongside these masterpieces, continuing to inspire new generations of artists and viewers alike.
Vocab
Art Nouveau- An Artistic movement from about 1890-1915 that influenced art, architecture and decorative arts. It focuses on flowing curved lines and nature-inspired shapes like vines and flowers. The goal was to give art and decorative objects a more organic and lively appearance.
Icon Painting- A religious painting of a sacred figure in a portrait that creates an ‘icon’ of them. These paintings are common in Eastern Orthodox Christian countries in Europe and are meant used for prayer and devotion. They also feature gold halos around the figures, flat shapes, and symbolic colors.
Golden Ratio- A mathematical ratio (1.618) used in art and design to create a balanced and harmonious composition.
Gold Leaf Method- A technique where you apply an adhesive to a surface and then lay thin sheets of gold called Gold leafs. After being smoothed out, the excess gold is burnished and removed.
Ravenna Method- An art technique that comes from Christian mosaics from Ravenna, Italy in which tiles are placed on a bed of lime or clay, allowing for changes and adjustments before being stuck permanently to the surface.
Art Cities
Vienna, Austria- This painting was created in that city during a time of progress.
Ravenna, Italy- Ravenna was a cultural center during 5th century Roman Empire and Byzantine Italy. Christian Mosaics from the Byzantine era can be found in Ravenna, Italy.
Sources
The Kiss, Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Kiss-painting-by-Klimt
10 Facts about Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, Gustav Klimt website
https://www.gustav-klimt.com/The-Kiss.jsp
Gustav Klimt, The Kiss by Smart History, Youtube
The Kiss by Gustav Klimt: Great Art Explained, Youtube