Gustav Klimt

The Kiss

Over 10 years ago, I saw a copy of the top picture on my co-worker's desk. I forgot what the artist's name was, but wanted to look it up to share on this blog. Lo and behold, I spotted a story about Maria Altmann, who had just died. (LA Times 2-8-11) Mrs. Altmann was the niece of Adele Bloch-Bauer (second and third pictures). Maria and her family had sued the Austrian National Gallery to reclaim several of her Aunt's pictures, painted by Gustav Klimt. The paintings were stolen when the Nazi's took over Austria during WWII. Maria won the lawsuit and wound up auctioning off the pictures to private collectors. In 2006, Adele's picture went for 135 million, which was a record at the time!

Loved the pictures, they are very beautiful, sensual and full of color. The first portrait of Adele (left) was called the "Austrian Mona Lisa". Gossip note...there has been speculation that the married Adele may have even had a fling with Klint, who was a known womanizer !

Evidently Klimt used gold-encrusted paint. The Kiss is my favorite, but there are many more that I like. Take a look at more of his pictures, they are great!