Σαν σήμερα γεννήθηκε ο Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – February 6, 1918)

Gustav Klimt - Medicine & Hygeia 1901

You know Klimt...right? Well, this is a section of one his most striking paintings. Modelled by Adele Bloch-Bauer.

Gustav Klimt painted three epic works: Philosophy, Medicine and Jurisprudence for the University of Vienna. All three were initially looked down upon and were never exhibited in the great hall, for which they were produced. This lower left section from the painting "Medicine" was at one point bought by Koloman Moser, before then being sold to a Jewish family. It was then confiscated off the family by the Nazis. After the end of WW2 it was destroyed by retreating Nazi leaders along with all of their stolen looted art to prevent it from coming into the allied hands. Only a few sketches and black & white photographs survive of the actual painting. This section depicting Hygeia (daughter of the god of medicine, Asclepius, and granddaughter of Apollo) is the only colour photograph of the painting that survived.

Klimt, also a member of the Vienna Secession movement contributed many artworks to the excellent Ver Sacrum publication and has become one of the most influential artists ever.

Recommended reading here: www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/gustavklimt/default...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Klimt

By Gargantuan Sound @ http://www.flickr.com