Gustav Klimt - Complete Works of Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) Contents Delphi Classics 2014 Version 1 Masters of Art Series Gustav Klimt By Delphi Classics, 2014

In 1886 Klimt had won the prestigious commission to decorate the ceilings in the two monumental staircases that led to the boxes in the newly constructed Burgtheater on Viennas Ringstrasse, as part of an ambitious scheme of urban renewal in the late nineteenth century. Klimts contributions to the project chart the history of theatre from ancient times to the modern era. The Theatre in Taormina reveals Klimts inspiration from the works of Hans Makart, the master of Vienna historicists, who had died two years before. Klimt was a great admirer of Makarts baroque style of lavish design, as demonstrated in this sumptuous, though decadent scene of the ancient theatre at Taormina, on the east coast of Sicily. However, unlike Makarts more traditional methods, Klimt adopted a more Parisian palette, delineating the subjects with bright colours, whilst depicting the classical buildings with a meticulous clarity that is reminiscent of the works of the Dutch artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Detail Detail Detail The ancient theatre at Taormina is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, due to both its remarkable preservation and its beautiful location. Detail Detail Detail The ancient theatre at Taormina is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, due to both its remarkable preservation and its beautiful location.

It is built for the most part of brick and is probably of Roman date, though the plan and arrangement are in accordance with those of Greek, rather than Roman theatres. The Burgtheater in Vienna, just after its construction in 1888

However, in spite of the realism of the individual figures, the overall effect of this picture has been criticised by some for being stilted and artificial, appearing as an elaborate collage, as the individual subjects fail to interact with each other in the canvas. Nevertheless, the meticulous skills demonstrated in the piece found favour in high circles in Vienna, winning for the young artist many more prestigious commissions. Detail Detail