At the beginning of his career, Klimt stuck to his teachings and the 19th century styles of art. But he quickly tired of this. He soon changed the way artists worked in the 19th century. He was no longer interested in the styles of realism and began moving towards more abstract and intricate pieces. Art Critic, Neville Weston, attended an art show in Liverpool that highlighted Klimt’s works, “Klimt is but part of this examination of a time of true avant-gardism when artists, designers, craftspeople and …show more content…
This is a prime example of how Klimt was highly influences by symbolism. It has his signature idea of the subjects locked in some sort of embrace. On the right side of the painting there is a mother holding an infant against her bosom in a symbolic gesture of security and protecting. There are flower entwined in the mother’s hair as a symbol of fertility and life. She holds the child in a way that shows unconditional love. On the right side, Klimt painted an elderly woman. There is a feeling of isolation and sadness on this side of the composition. In the background there are organic black shapes on the ground that represent graves and death being near. Her head is bowed in defeat as she holds her hand against her face as if she cannot live any longer. It tells the story of how we go from being loved and surrounded by family to being alone and not wanting to fight any