" I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me -as an artist, the only notable thing- ought to look carefully at my pictures and try and see in them what I am and what I want to do."
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 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 Knstlercompanie (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 Flge 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 he celebrates the attraction of the sexes.
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 "Schonbrunn Landscape" among
other landscape scenes.
1918 On January 11th, Klimt suffers a stroke in his apartment and dies on February 6th from pneumonia.
