Events

Gustav Klimt Two Girls with an Oleander c.1890-2

One of the eagerly awaited highlights of Capital of Culture, an exhibition of the work of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, is at Tate Liverpool.

The Tate Liverpool exhibition, from 30 May to 31 August, 2008, will feature major paintings and drawings from across Klimt’s career, along with works by his close friend the architect and designer Josef Hoffman.

Tate Liverpool Director Christoph Grunberg says the exhibition is of immense importance, "It's a show of the highest international standard which could be in New York, London or Tokyo."

Gustav Klimt - The Beethoven Frieze

Klimt’s works are highly collectable, fetching incredibly high prices at auction, in 2006, The Apple Tree I, sold for $33million while his 1903 work Birch Forest sold for $40.3million.

As founder and leader of the Viennese Secession group of artists and artisans Klimt’s work is characterised by gold and coloured decoration often in an erotic style.

Agnus Huslein, Director of Vienna's Belveder Palace, where Klimt's The Kiss is displayed says that Liverpool is extremely fortunate to be hosting the exhibition as the works are unlikely to be transported much longer, "Liverpool will have one of the last big Klimt exhibitions because the paintings are so fragile."

Christoph Grunberg says comparisons with modern day bling have increased Klimt's popularity, "It's got an element of that, its an absolutely valid association.

"I think it reflects something in terms of his contemporary meaning.

"Why is he becoming so much more popular right now?

"It's a reflection of contemporary taste, about gold and gold jewellery and showing off."

Born in Baumgarten near Vienna in 1862, Klimt spent much of his childhood in poverty as his father a gold engraver from Bohemia could rarely find work.

Gustav Klimt - The Golden Knight

He studied at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts and in 1888 was awarded the Golden Order of Merit by Emperor Franz Josef for his services to art.

From the late 1890’s Klimt enjoyed some of his most critical acclaim.

Many of his works used gold leaf and this strikingly colourful part of his career included the painting of his most famous work, The Kiss.

"The Kiss is like the Mona Lisa of the 21st century," says Agnus Huslein.

"He was a real character, a connoisseur.

"He loved women, he was a good looking man and he fascinated the ladies."

Tickets for the Klimt exhibition are £8, £6 for concessions and can be booked from Tate Liverpool

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