Old Masters - Klimt

The first post in the Old Masters Series is about the great symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, who is perhaps most famous for his involvement in the Vienna Secession Movement.

Klimt´s work is interesting because it continues to inspire both artists and art lovers to this day. Klimt´s work is sensual and seductive and the often gently unfolding eroticism presents itself very decoratively providing a subtle and inoffensive manner. Nevertheless, it is clear when you look at Klimts work that he was not merely interested in formal qualities. As a Symbolist painter Klimt clearly had an interest in conveying a deeper meaning beyond what was plainly visible.

“I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me -as an artist, the only notable thing- ought to look carefully at my pictures and try and see in them what I am and what I want to do.”

Gustav Klimt

The fact that Klimt invites the spectators of his paintings to ponder the meaning of the work in a sense opens up the work. It is up to you what to make of it – some of the work is more obvious than others though.

Danae, 1907-08.

Hope I, 1903.



Judith I, 1901.


The Kiss, 1907-08.


The Blood of Fish, 1898.


Drawing: Reclining female.



Drawing: Female pleasuring herself.


Drawing: Halfsleeping female.

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Erotic Fashion

The line between the erotic and the pornographic is a subject greatly discussed and one that I will revisit and examine in another post. However, what it is interesting to note is that previously, the line between an erotic art image and a pornographic image was distinct and easily defined, but this is no longer the case.
We constantly see images, many of which are sexy, as producers try to sell us their goods.

The images I want to show are from the Italian Vogue Magazine April edition 2010. The pictures are taken and copyright by photographer Paolo Roversi. They feature the fashion models: Sasha Pivovarova & Guinevere Van Seenus.

I think that these pictures are a perfect example of the blurring lines or cross referencing that is taking place today. The eyes that see and the connections that our brains make are always unique, not least because of the different social and cultural experiences we carry with us. In my opinion it is often the case that an image irradiates eroticism more so the less explicit it is.
In my mind these images offer a great sense of eroticism despite the fact that the models are almost fully clothed. The staging of the models also leads us to use our imagination and as you know anything can happen in the world of Fantasia...


I love the first image in this series. This woman is an erotic vixen. She is, in an icy cool sense, sultry, seductive and dangerous. Her clothing is highly suggestive - bare buttocks showing. Even the positioning of the woman illuminates the erotic in the image with the parting of the curtains. It is her enticing look though that makes this images so powerful with her dark eyes becoming the focal point in all the whiteness, beckoning the viewer to follow.
(Click any of the images below to see them larger)

In the context of the other images I think this last image is a very powerful one - although it could be argued, that if it was viewed on its own it would not necessarily be seen as erotic.