Gustav Klimt’s body of work includes many brilliant paintings, but none is as beloved and recognizable as “The Kiss”. It’s one of the most iconic portrayals of love and intimacy in modern art history, and we’re bringing you five fun facts that will make you see it in a brand new light.
Real Name
Even though this painting is widely known as “The Kiss”, this isn’t its real name. It was first exhibited in 1908 in Vienna in the Kunstschau under the title “Liebespaar”, which can be translated as “The Lovers”.
Golden Period
“The Kiss” is often mentioned as the final painting of Klimt’s Golden Period, which saw the iconic artist incorporate gold leaves into his works.
Mix of Styles
Even though it’s usually described as an Art Nouveau painting, “The Kiss” mixes many different artistic styles, and it’s been impacted by Byzantine artworks, Japanese prints, and the Arts and Crafts movement.
Potential Self-Portrait
Klimt never revealed if the lovers in the paintings are real people, but it’s been speculated that “The Kiss” is actually a self-portrait that depicts the artist himself and his muse Emilie Flöge.
Hefty Price
“The Kiss” set a new record for the highest price paid for a painting in Austria after the Belvedere Museum paid 25,000 crowns to make it a part of its collection. You can still see it in person at this opulent palace in Vienna over a century later.