Klimt

This evening I watched the film Klimt, a film based on the life of Austrian Symbolism Painter Gustav Klimt.

I have been interested in Klimt's work for a long time. I was first taught about Klimt at Primary School, which is strange due to the highly erotic nature of many of his paintings. We were being taught by a student teacher and were to make a pencil holder painted in his style.

Gustav Klimt's paintings largely focus on the female form and although being quite erotically charged at times never lose their beauty and intricate detail. His style which was quite unique and controversial for it's time in Austria is still popular today and can be found quite frequently in modern design. GHD and a number of hair salons have used a stylistic approach to his gold leaf artwork.

The film, although about a great man with a great story isn't particularly great. Starrring John Malkovich, it is rather odd and confusing and focused quite loosely on his artwork and perhaps tried a little too hard to be "arty", the despite given the subject.