Puchko, Kristy (June 8, 2015). "15 Things You Should Know About Klimt's The Kiss". Mental Floss. New York City: Dennis Publishing . Retrieved October 29, 2019. Not only does this piece represent the apex of Klimt’s Golden Period, but it is also a stunning culmination of many of the artist’s most distinctive stylistic fingerprints. The use of fine lines, vivid colors, and intricate and contrasting patterns make this painting unmistakably Klimt’s.

premature age of 55, several unfinished works of a strikingly sexual nature were found in his studio, as if revealing the erotic undercurrent latent beneath much of his earlier work. Many art historians believe that the Byzantineinfluence may reflect Klimt’s movements towards more stability by using inorganic and static forms. The Kiss is the height of Klimt’s Golden Phase. Alongside The Tree of Life and The Beethoven Frieze, this piece completes an allegory representing the union of erotic and spiritual love and connection.Secondly, "The Kiss" is notable for its incorporation of gold leaf, which was a relatively uncommon technique at the time. The use of gold leaf adds a sense of opulence and luxury to the work, and also contributes to its enduring visual impact. In 2003, a commemorative 100 Euro gold coin was issued by the Austrian mint. On one side of the coin is the bust of Gustav Klimt, and on the other is a small etching of The Kiss. Klimt and The Kiss are both significant and celebrated parts of Austria’s history, and it seems fitting that Klimt’s Golden Period is commemorated in this way. This group of painters rejected the academic style in favor of a highly decorative and varied approach, similar to the Art Nouveau style. A primary aim of this group was to support young, non-traditional artists.

After visiting Ravenna in Italy, where he saw the Byzantine mosaics by San Vitale, Klimt composed “The Kiss”. It is possible to see the Byzantine influence in many of Klimt’s paintings during his Golden Period. For Klimt, the two-dimensional nature of the mosaics only enhanced the brilliant effect of the gold.

We have covered much of the history and significance of this well-known painting. There are, however, some little-known facts about the piece and the artist that we think are particularly fascinating and add to the rich history of Klimt and his unique style.

The Kiss" is Klimt's artistic response to the Byzantine mosaics at Ravenna, Italy, which so profoundly affected him. When re-assessing The Kiss for Klimt's 150th birthday, journalist Ceiling Paintings at the University of Vienna's great hall. Due in large part to the nude figures in this series, the established art community derided them as pornographic. Klimt The Art Story Contributors. "Gustav Klimt Artist Overview and Analysis". [Internet]. 2018. TheArtStory.orgIn the 1890s, Klimt began to develop his signature style, characterized by intricate patterns, gold leaf, and erotic imagery. His most famous works include "The Kiss,""Judith and the Head of Holofernes," and "Adele Bloch-Bauer I." These artworks often depicted sensual and erotic scenes, and were sometimes controversial for their explicitness. Objectification of women: Some feminist critics argue that it objectifies women, reducing them to passive objects of male desire. They point to the woman's closed eyes and limp posture as evidence of her submissiveness. reflects the influence of Japanese prints that was also evident in some earlier Impressionist paintings. The contrasting patterns of the two lovers' cloaks reflects the Arts and Crafts Alicia du Plessis is a multidisciplinary writer. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Art History and Classical Civilization, as well as two Honors, namely, in Art History and Education and Development, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. For her main Honors project in Art History, she explored perceptions of the San Bushmen’s identity and the concept of the “Other”. She has also looked at the use of photography in art and how it has been used to portray people’s lives.