Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I fame comes not only from its position as the epitome of his Gold Period but from its complicated history spanning almost the entirety of the twentieth century. In this article, Singulart discusses Klimt’s masterpiece and its history.
Who was Gustav Klimt?
Gustav Klimt, the Vienna Secession leader, shaped Art Nouveau. Born in 1862, he apprenticed with his father. Enrolled at Vienna’s School of Applied Arts at 14, Klimt studied various subjects. He extensively copied Old Masters during his studies. In 1883, he opened his mural painting studio.
Initially, Klimt’s style was classical. His murals for the Vienna Burgtheater garnered prestigious recognition. In the early 1900s, he delved into erotic drawings. Transitioning from classical ideals, Klimt explored human desires. Vienna, a hub of artistic activity, embraced Klimt’s avant-garde works.
Continuing his rebellious streak, Klimt painted a mural for the Kunsthistorisches Museum. He depicted the history of art with female figures. Rejecting traditional norms, he initiated his “femme fatales”.
In 1897, Klimt co-founded The Vienna Secession. He explored psychology and sexuality in his art. Women became his favored subjects. A trip to Ravenna inspired his renowned Gold Period. Despite mentoring artists like Schiele and Kokoschka, Klimt’s legacy was initially overlooked.
FUN FACT: Gustav Klimt’s most famous painting, “The Kiss,” is not only celebrated for its artistic brilliance but also for its interesting backstory. The painting was initially met with mixed reviews but eventually became one of the most iconic symbols of love and romance in art history.
The story behind Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I
Adele Bloch-Bauer hailed from a wealthy Viennese Jewish family. Her father held prestigious positions, including bank director. In 1899, at 18, she married Ferdinand Bloch, a banker and sugar manufacturer. Renowned for her salons, Adele hosted intellectuals and creatives. It was during the late 1890s that she met Gustav Klimt.
Commissioned by Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer in 1903, Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I became a masterpiece. With meticulous preparation, Klimt created over a hundred sketches. Additionally, in 1903, he studied Byzantine gold mosaics in Ravenna, which influenced his “gold period.” Adele Bloch-Bauer I epitomizes this period. Klimt employed an elaborate technique, using oil only for her face and hands. The canvas, measuring 138 x 138 cm, is predominantly covered in gold and silver leaf. Moreover, Klimt used gesso to apply decorative motifs in bas-relief.
The final work, completed in 1907, depicts Adele Bloch-Bauer on a golden chair against a detailed, patterned gold background. She wears a fitted gold dress adorned with delicate geometric forms in blue, black, and silver. The dress blends into the background, emphasizing Adele’s face and hands. This portrait exudes sensuality and femininity. Within its details and myriad patterns, one can discern various symbols and influences, from Byzantine to Greek. It’s been likened to a religious icon rather than a secular portrait.
Artwork Spotlight: Femme Pensive
“Femme Pensive” (“Pensive Woman”) is an outstanding work by Gustav Klimt, with the subject of a woman lost in thought on the background of colors and shapes. Klimt’s subtle use of symbolism and intricate representation expresses the elegance and mystique of his oeuvre, guiding the viewer into the inner world of the meditating figure.
From Austria to America
Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I embodies Klimt’s Gold Period and has a tumultuous history. Adele wished for the artwork to go to the Austrian State Gallery. Ferdinand displayed it in Adele’s bedroom after her passing. Subsequently, it toured Europe and was exhibited in Paris in 1937.
In 1938, Ferdinand fled Austria due to Nazi invasion, leaving his fortune behind. The Nazis falsely accused him of tax evasion to seize his property, including the painting. Despite Ferdinand’s rewritten will, the painting was lost.
In 1946, the Bloch-Bauers lost most of their collection, including the portrait, to the Austrian State. In 1998, investigations revealed Nazi theft and governmental refusal to return the painting. Maria Altman, Adele’s niece, sued the Austrian Government and won in 2004.
In 2006, Altman sold the painting to Ronald Lauder for $135 million, the highest price at the time. It now resides in Lauder’s Neue Gallery in New York.
See similar artworks in Singulart’s Inspired by Gustav Klimt collection.
