Judith and the Head of Holofernes, Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt created this painting in 1901. In this oil painting of the biblical heroine Judith, we soft yet angular features. The gold leaf outlines Judith, almost flattening the image. The repetition of pattern emphasizes Judith's face. There is natural lines and shapes forming within gold leaf. The color palette employs mostly earth tones, aside from the vibrant use of gold leaf which can be traced as an earth element. The painting finished using a top heavy frame. The title along with ornate texture fills the space within the frame. 

The elements and style in which Klimt painted lends to Art Nouveau. Comparable to Mucha, Gustav employs the use of softening the figure making it almost dream-like. The use of a central female figure, along with flowing curves echoes the work of Alphonse Mucha. In this image of Judith there is high contrast that familiar to Lautrec's, "Moulin Rouge: La Goulue." I'm always admired the art work of Gustav Klimt, so it was fascinating to gain more information on the artist. 

Jackson, Effie. “Gustav Klimt & the Art Nouveau Woman’s Fighting Spirit.” Art & Object, 4 Oct. 2022, www.artandobject.com/news/gustav-klimt-art-nouveau-womans-fighting-spirit.



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