Dressing The Woman in Gold: Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt, one of the most revolutionary artists in recent memory, lived in tumultuous times, suspended at the turn of the century in the stylistic seam between Art Nouveau, Expressionism, and Symbolism. This lecture will explore how his breathtaking portraits reflect the upheavals of the era and its fashions through his distinct depictions of women, nudity, sensuality, and the supernatural. Klimt’s turbulent life story is also that of his beloved Emilie Flöge, a pioneering fashion designer and predecessor of Coco Chanel, whose contributions have since been largely forgotten.