The Kiss Klimt Painting – Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss Explained

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt deserves special attention due to its unique style and huge popularity. Here we examine how it fitted into Gustav Klimt’s considerable art career and break down the painting into its bright gold and symbolic components.

The glowing themes of The Kiss painting by Klimt showed lovers intertwined into one being, symbolising the strength of this bond. Some art traditionalists rejected this for its use of eroticism, but others found it refreshing.

Gustav Klimt’s popularity and appeal across Europe with more modern-thinking art lovers helped him to sway the seas of discontent that erupted from the erotic nature of many of his paintings. His prominent role in the Viennese Society and links to several galleries and museums across Austria helped him to continue his style. Klimt fans loved his use of golden backgrounds, intensive colors & ornamental layouts.

The Museum of Applied Arts and the Belvedere house much of Klimt’s paintings after efforts were made to recover much of his art and return it to Vienna, Austria. The Kiss painting itself can be found there, plus in reproduction form right around the world.

Two lovers sit together in the painting, with decorative jewelry and both are bonded by contemporary patterns boldly added by this brave artist. Klimt’s Beethoven Frieze and Stoclet Frieze featured similar content and received similar praise and popularity.

Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movements are similar to the styles that Klimt uses in The Kiss. The painting also reminds one of the works of Edgar Degas too and some other modernist painters.

Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss remains the most impressive painting from this famous Austrian master and will go down in history as one of the most popular paintings ever.

The Kiss Auguste Rodin Sculpture

The Kiss Auguste Rodin Sculpture is a worthy addition to this The Kiss Klimt blog. We try to cover all angles of the original painting, and this stretches to artistic interpretations of other painters and sculptors.

The Kiss, 1886 – Rodin Sculpture Print The Giclee printing process delivers a fine stream of ink resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display. This art print is produced on a heavy 310 gsm, acid-free and watercolor textured paper. Order this Print The Kiss, 1886 – Rodin Sculpture Framed Print Custom framed Print with unique 2″ wide Allure wood frame in a matte finish and enhanced with a soft white mat. A durable overlay of premium acrylic glazing creates a crystal clear display of your print and protects it from damage. Order this Print

The Kiss is an 1889 marble sculpture by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Like many of Rodin’s best-known individual sculptures, including The Thinker, the embracing couple depicted in the sculpture appeared originally as part of a group of reliefs decorating Rodin’s monumental bronze portal The Gates of Hell, commissioned for a planned museum of art in Paris. The couple were later removed from the Gates and replaced with another pair of lovers located on the smaller right-hand column.

The sculpture, The Kiss, was originally titled Francesca da Rimini, as it depicts the 13th-century Italian noblewoman immortalised in Dante’s Inferno (Circle 2, Canto 5) who falls in love with her husband Giovanni Malatesta’s younger brother Paolo. Having fallen in love while reading the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, the couple are discovered and killed by Francesca’s husband. In the sculpture, the book can be seen in Paolo’s hand. The lovers lips do not actually touch in the sculpture to suggest that they were interrupted and met their demise without their lips ever having touched.

When critics first saw the sculpture in 1887, they suggested the less specific title Le Baiser (The Kiss).

Rodin indicated that his approach to sculpting women was of homage to them and their bodies, not just submitting to men but as full partners in ardor. The consequent eroticism in the sculpture made it controversial. A bronze version of The Kiss (74 cm high) was sent for display at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The sculpture was considered unsuitable for general display and relegated to an inner chamber with admission only by personal application.

The Kiss Brancusi Sculpture

The Kiss is a sculpture by Constantin Brâncuşi. The Kiss is an example of his abstracted, non-literal representation style. He created many versions of The Kiss, further simplifying forms to geometrical and sparse objects in each version.

Constantin Brancusi Introduction

Sculptor Constantin Brancusi (b. Romania, 1876-1975) was active mainly in Paris throughout his life. He preferred the technique of direct carving in stone — a process newly popular among French sculptors in the early 1900s — and was capable of reducing natural forms to near abstract simplicity. His work in both stone and bronze concentrated on variations of a small number of themes — heads, birds, and his renowned couple embracing The Kiss.

The Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957) was a central figure of the modern movement and a pioneer of abstraction. His sculpture is noted for its visual elegance and sensitive use of materials, combining the directness of peasant carving with the sophistication of the Parisian avant-garde. After attending the Bucharest School of Fine Arts and learning of the sculpture of August Rodin, Brancusi traveled to Paris in 1904. Brancusi created his first major work, The Kiss, in 1908. From this time his sculpture became increasingly abstract, moving from the disembodied head of Sleeping Muse to the virtually featureless Beginning of the World and from the formal figure of the legendary bird Maiastra to numerous versions of the ethereal Bird in Space.

Brancusi’s sculpture gained international notoriety at the 1913 Armory Show in New York, a city that he visited four times and where his work frequently would be exhibited. In his Paris studio at 8 Impasse Ronsin Brancusi devoted great attention to the arrangement of his sculptures, documenting individual works and their installation in an important body of photographs. Isamu Noguchi worked as a studio assistant for Brancusi in 1927, and Brancusi taught him to carve stone and wood. In the 1930s Brancusi worked on two ambitious public sculpture projects, an unrealized temple in India for the Maharajah of Indore and the installation at Tirgu Jiu, Romania, of his Gate of the Kiss, Table of Silence and a 100-foot tall cast iron version of Endless Column. On his death Brancusi left the contents of his studio to the Museum of Art of the City of Paris, on condition that the studio be installed in the museum in its entirety.

About The Kiss Sculpture

His “Kiss” (1908), with its two blocklike figures joined in symbolic embrace, has a concentration of expression comparable to that of primitive art but lacking its spiritualistic power.

The Kiss Brancusi Sculpture – 9″ High – Alvastone with Aged Stone Finish – from the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Simple is beautiful. Look closer as these two young lovers embrace in a Brancusi kiss in what is perhaps regarded as the quintessential representation of love. As one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, Constantin Brancusi preferred the technique of carving in stone and reducing natural forms to near-abstract simplicity. His work in both stone and bronze concentrated on variations of a small number of themes–heads, birds, and this renowned couple embracing, The Kiss (1916). Brancusi’s simplified sculptures are widely acknowledged as icons of modern art.

Klimt The Kiss Canvas

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt makes a beautiful canvas. This fine art Giclee on canvas print has been museum-wrapped around 1.5” wood stretcher bars, and finished with handpainted gold edges.

The canvases are mounted on a wooden framework and ready for framing or hanging. These are the same frameworks that artists use to stretch canvases for original canvas art.

Giclee prints can be found in New York’s Metropolitan Museum as well as galleries and auction houses throughout the world. Individual Giclee prints have fetched many thousands of dollars at auction.

Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” is characteristic of his work: erotically charged, dazzlingly embellished and rich in gleaming gold tones. “The Kiss,” created in 1907-1908, is one of Klimt’s most transcendent images. Only the faces and hands of this couple are visible; all the rest is great swirls of gold, as if to express the loss of self that lovers experience. Klimt, (1862-1918) an Austrian iconoclast, rose from childhood impoverishment to become an artist of enormous significance to the Viennese Secession and Art Nouveau movement styles.

Gustav Klimt Exhibition – Liverpool Tate 2008, Korea 2009

This post aims to help lovers of Gustav Klimt and The Kiss to see the real thing by keeping them informed of Gustav Klimt exhibitions, both past and present.

We encourage you to write to us about any Klimt exhibitions that you know of and that we haven’t covered. We’re happy to include photos of past events too, just send them in.

“… To celebrate 2008 as European Capital of Culture Tate Liverpool is delighted to present the first comprehensive exhibition of Gustav Klimt’s work ever staged in the UK.

The exhibition focuses on the life and art of one of the world’s most influential and revered artists. It will explore Klimt’s role as the founder and leader of the Viennese Secession, a progressive group of artists and artisans. The work and philosophy of the Secession embraced art, architecture, fashion, dazzling decorative objects and furniture in their search for identity.

Major paintings and drawings from all stages of Klimt’s career will be shown alongside the work of Josef Hoffmann, the architect and designer and a close friend of the artist…”

“… The Upper Belvedere houses the impressive collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. At the heart of the displays of “art around 1900” is the world’s largest Gustav Klimt collection. The glittering highlights are Klimt’s golden pictures “The Kiss” and “Judith”, and masterpieces by Schiele and Kokoschka. Prominent works by the French Impressionists and the outstanding collection of Viennese Biedermeier paintings are further attractions at the Upper Belvedere…”

There is an art exhibition in Korea 2009. I include the details below. Unfortunately here in China the main site is blocked but the following information is courtesy of Art N About.

“… Exhibition: ‘Gustav Klimt in Korea 2009′ …Over 30 paintings and 60 drawings (etc.) of Gustav KLIMT from the Belvedere Vienna and other collections from around the world.
Seoul Art Center ( Hangaram Museum ), 1 February 2009 – 15 May 2009…”

All information on Gustav Klimt exhibitions contained in this blog are courtesy of Tate Online, Belvedere and Art’n'about in Korea.

The Kiss Poster

The Kiss Poster is available to buy online – simply click the link to enter The Kiss Poster store.

Like all of Gustav Klimt’s work, “The Kiss” glows with gilded erotic imagery amid swirls of flamboyant ornamentation. One of Klimt’s most inspired works, “The Kiss” submerges most of the couple’s bodies in vast golden waves, representing the melding of selves experienced by lovers. An Austrian iconoclast, Klimt (1862 – 1918) rose from childhood poverty to become an artist who significantly impacted the Viennese Secession and Art Nouveau styles.

Benefits for your purchase of The Kiss Poster include value-added services, including framing and mounting, provide customers with the option to enhance the appearance of their poster or art print. Our framing service allows customers to choose from a variety of high-quality frames, mats, and glass. Our unique mounting service, permanently bonds prints to a durable hardboard backing. Both services produce high-quality, attractive finished products at a reasonable price.

Klimt The Kiss Framed

Framed prints and posters of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt remain highly popular in households around the world. We have a selection of prints and posters available below, simply click through to order or find out more information on each.

Each The Kiss Print or Poster can be ordered in a wide selection of sizes and with many different styles of frames. Simply click through from one of the links below, we are sure that you will find exactly what you are looking for in the shop. Other Gustav Klimt posters and prints are also available there, simply use the search facility.

For Klimt The Kiss – Framed – See below

The Kiss – Contemporary 1.25″ wide SoHo wood custom frame The Kiss – custom framed with our contemporary 2.75″ wide Highland Park Black wood frame in a distressed finish The Kiss 1907 – custom framed with our contemporary 1.25″ wide SoHo wood frame in a matte finish The Kiss – custom framed with our traditional 2.25″ wide Academie wood frame in a matte finish The Kiss – custom framed with our ornate 2″ wide Parma wood frame in a foil finish and enhanced with a soft white mat The Kiss – print will be custom framed with our ornate 2″ wide Parma wood frame in a foil finish. The Kiss – custom framed with our ornate 2″ wide Parma wood frame in a foil finish and enhanced with a soft white mat. The Kiss – All our Klimt Kiss posters and prints currently available with different custom frames

The Kiss Vienna

The Kiss has a history related to Austrian capital Vienna, as from 1876 to 1883 Gustav Klimt attended the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts and from 1879 he started working with his brother Ernst Klimt on decorative paintings, designed for public buildings in Vienna, Bucharest and Rijeka. In 1897 Klimt was one of the founding members of the Vienna Secession. He was chairman until he resigned in 1905. Gustav Klimt created a new and highly individual style in the Austrian art world. He broke with the conventional academic ideals.

Especially his later work is defined by the use of intensive colors, golden backgrounds, ornamental layouts, erotic elements and heavy symbolism. Although his work was controversal, he had a strong influence on the cultural world of his time and established himself as a very popular painter in the Viennese society.

In Vienna’s museums you can admire some of his most famous works. The Museum of Applied Arts is proud of its collection. At the Belvedere you can take in ‘Der Kuss’ (The Kiss) in all its glory. The Kiss is probably now one of the most famous pictures in the world and is to be found everywhere from apartments to hotel lobbies.

Much of the above information is courtesy of aboutvienna.org.

The Kiss History – Timeline of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss

To understand The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, it is important to understand the full history of Gustav Klimt’s career and where The Kiss fits into that. Courtesy of Expo Klimt we include the history of Gustav Klimt below.

The Kiss comes in at 1908

Gustav Klimt was a controversial figure in his time. His work was constantly criticized for being too sensual and erotic, and his symbolism too deviant. Today, they stand out as the more important paintings ever to come out of Vienna.

1862 Birth of Gustav Klimt in Baumgarten, near Vienna, Austria. His father is a gold engraver but unsuccessful in business. The family lives in poverty.

1876 At the age of 14, Klimt enters the Vienna Public Art School. Noticed for his talents, he receives his first commissions while studying.

1883 Klimt, his brother Ernst and Franz Matsch form the Känstlercompanie (Company of Artists) and start a productive cooperation. Works for theaters, churches and museums were ordered by several patrons.

1886-1892 Klimt executes mural decorations for staircases at the Burgtheater and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. He contributes for a series called Allegories and Emblems. Its success leads to a second large order, containing Klimt’s painting “Tragedy”, announcing all of his stylistic characteristics: gold paint, areas of detail and areas of abstract space, symbolism, the female figure.

1891 He becomes a member of the Co-operative Society of Austrian Artists.

1892 Death of his father and brother Ernst. He moves to a larger studio.

1893 Klimt and Matsch are commissioned to decorate the ceiling of the Great Hall of the new University of Vienna. Due to a falling-out between Klimt and Matsch, the works are greatly delayed. The series of paintings, “Philosophy”, “Medecine” and “Jurisprudence”, provoked widespread controversy. He is never to accept a public commission again.

1897 As Klimt feels his integrety as an artist is under threat, The Secession Mouvement is formed, focusing on exposure for young, unconventional artists, bringing quality foreign art to Vienna and publishing a magazine.

1898-1905 The first large exhibition of foreign work organized by the Secession attracts 57.000 visitors. “Ver Sacrum”, its monthly magazine, starts to publish. The Secession completes its own exhibition building and rapidly becomes the leading Artist Association in Vienna. Klimt will remain at the center of Secession activity until 1905.

1898 Klimt paints “Sonia Knips” at the Dumba Palace Music Room.

1900 His first painting for the University of Vienna, “Philosophy” is exhibited unfinished at the Paris World Fair and wins the Grand Prix. He paints the portrait of Rose von Rosthorn-Friedmann.

1901 Klimt paints “Medicine” and “Judith and Holofernes”

1902 In the Secession Building, the statue of Max Klinger, “Beethoven”, is accompanied by Klimt’s “Beethoven Frieze”. He also paints the portrait of Emilie Flöge in a dress that she designed.

1903 Klimt travels to Ravenna and Florence and paints “Jurisprudence”.

1904 Klimt paints “Water Snakes” and is commissioned to paint the series of mosaic murals (1905-1909) for the Palais Stoclet, an opulent private mansion in Brussels.

1905 Several artists and Klimt himself resign from Secession and form a new association called “Kunstschau” (Art Show). The artist paints “The three ages of Woman”.

1907 The works “Danae”, a very erotic work depicting the conception of Perseus by Zeus, and “Adele Bloch-Bauer” are painted.

1908 Klimt paints “The Kiss”, in which Gustav Klimt celebrates the attraction of the sexes. Enjoy this blog which celebrates the Kiss and its influences.

1909 Klimt paints “Judith II” and “Hope” in which he juxtaposes the promise of new life with the destroying force of death.

1911 Klimt travels to Rome and Florence, paints “Death and Life”.

1913 Klimt paints “The Virgin”.

1914 Klimt paints “Elisabeth Bachofen-Echt”.

1917 Klimt paints “Baby” (unfinished). Paints “Schönbrunn Landscape” among other landscape scenes.

1918 On January 11th, Klimt suffers a stroke in his apartment and dies on February 6th from pneumonia.

The Kiss Klimt – Gustav’s Klimt painting The Kiss

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt is one of the most famous and popular paintings of modern times. There are thousands of searches for this painting every month on the internet from art lovers who continue to choose this Gustav Klimt masterpiece ahead of paintings by traditionally classic artists like Monet & Van Gogh.

We wrote a post on art blogs about The Kiss which proved so popular that we decided to create a whole new blog, dedicated specifically to this famous Klimt work.

We will combine factual information about The Kiss, taken from such reliable resources as Wikipedia, and add our own interactivity plus views and comments from other related blogs that we come across. Artists continue to offer their own spin on Klimt’s famous paintings, and we will include ones that we come across. Another target for the blog is to include a variety of media, and make the blog more interesting than a simple static text blogs, with images and videos used alongside each article.

Below are some interesting YouTube videos regarding The Kiss, Klimt, and we will add some more in future posts. This will include clips from “BBC – The Private Life of a Masterpiece – The Kiss” which is a high quality video covering this fine work.

About The Kiss, Gustav Klimt

The Kiss has a history as interesting as the painting itself. The piece is currently at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere museum, which is housed in the Belvedere palace, in Vienna, Austria.

The Kiss (original Der Kuss) was painted by Gustav Klimt, during his ‘golden period’, and is probably his most famous work. It depicts a couple, in various shades of gold and symbols, sharing a kiss against a bronze background.

Two figures are situated at the edge of a flowered escarpment. The man is wearing neutral coloured rectangles and a crown of vines; the woman wears brightly coloured tangent circles and flowers in her hair. The twain’s embrace is enveloped by triangular vining and a veil of concentric circles.

Some think that Klimt and his beloved companion Emilie Flöge modeled for the masterpiece.

Further information on The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

If you cannot find enough information on this painting here in http://thekissklimt.wordpress.com then we have provided additional links in the right hand side of this site which offer useful further information. These links have been checked and their quality assured. If you have further resources to add on The Kiss, then please suggest them here and we will add them, so long as they serve a non-commercial cause and have accurate information.