Gustav Klimt, born in 1862 in Baumgarten, Austria, was an Austrian symbolist painter and one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement. Renowned for his decorative style and sensual depictions of the human figure, Klimt’s work often explored themes of love, desire, and the subconscious. Klimt’s most famous works include “The Kiss,” “Judith and the Head of Holofernes,” and “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I.” His paintings are characterized by their use of gold leaf, intricate patterns, and highly stylized forms, which imbue his subjects with a sense of mystery and allure.

In addition to his paintings, Klimt was also a skilled draftsman and muralist, creating striking works of art that adorned public buildings and private residences throughout Vienna. Klimt’s art was controversial in its time for its explicit eroticism and departure from academic conventions. However, he found success and recognition among avant-garde circles and became one of the most sought-after artists in Vienna.

Today, Klimt is celebrated as one of the pioneers of modernism and a master of decorative art. His work continues to captivate audiences with its beauty, complexity, and rich symbolism, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

Gustav Klimt Quotes

01. “Truth is like fire; to tell the truth means to glow and burn.”
― Gustav Klimt

02. “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

03. “All art is erotic.”
― Gustav Klimt

04. “Whoever wants to know something about me, they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognise what I am and what I want.”
― Gustav Klimt

05. “A palavra falada, tal como a palavra escrita não me saem facilmente e muito menos quando tenho de me expressar sobre mim mesmo ou sobre o meu trabalho. (…) Aquele que pretende saber algo sobre mim – na qualidade de artista porque apenas esta minha faceta é digna de interesse – deve olhar atentamente para os meus quadros e tentar depreender deles o que sou e o que pretendo.”
― Gustav Klimt

06. “All art is erotic.”
― Gustav Klimt

07. “Sometimes I miss out the morning’s painting session and instead study my Japanese books in the open.”
― Gustav Klimt

08. “True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.”
― Gustav Klimt

09. “There is no self-portrait of me.”
― Gustav Klimt

10. “After tea it’s back to painting – a large poplar at dusk with a gathering storm. From time to time instead of this evening painting session I go bowling in one of the neighbouring villages, but not very often.”
― Gustav Klimt

11. “Whoever wants to know something about me – as an artist which alone is significant – they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognise what I am and what I want.”
― Gustav Klimt

12. “If the weather is good I go into the nearby wood – there I am painting a small beech forest (in the sun) with a few conifers mixed in. This takes until 8 ‘o clock.”
― Gustav Klimt

13. “There is nothing that special to see when looking at me. I’m a painter who paints day in day out, from morning till evening – figure pictures and landscapes, more rarely portraits.”
― Gustav Klimt

14. “Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late – thoughts both about and not about art.”
― Gustav Klimt

15. “I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I’m not certain of whether it’s true.”
― Gustav Klimt

16. “On my first days here I did not start work immediately but, as planned, I took it easy for a few days – flicked through books, studied Japanese art a little.”
― Gustav Klimt

17. “Even when I have to write a simple letter I’m scared stiff as if faced with looming seasickness.”
― Gustav Klimt