Gustav Klimt

his introductory series to the great artists of the past 150 years looks at their lives and inspirations, and showcases a selection of their most significant paintings. Gustav Klimt first achieved fame as a decorative painter, before turning to portraiture and erotic art. Nevertheless, the decorative style persisted in his work leading to almost abstract compositions with flattened, glowing surfaces embellished with gold and silver leaf, which are perhaps best known in Klimt's two portraits of Adele Bloch Bauer. The book describes Klimt's technique, the materials he used, and his role as one of the most influential artists of the Art Nouveau movement.