Gustav Klimt: 25 Masterworks

by Jane Kallir

Paintings by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) are featured here in 25 large reproductions, many enriched with gold and silver. Every painting is accompanied by a brief commentary examining its place in the artist's development, the circumstances of the commission, and the role of the subject in Klimt's personal world in turn-of-the-century Vienna.

Genres: Art, Reference

60 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of 25 of Gustav Klimt’s Masterworks is one of the prizes in my collection of art books. It is solidly and beautifully constructed, coffee table sized, and contains gorgeous prints of Klimt’s beautifully busy art. On top of all that, it has a memorable tale attached of how I acquired it.

Back in the early/mid ‘90s I went through a period of researching the occult. I had added several classic occult works to my collection, one of which was the infamous Aleister Crowley’s Book of Lies. The more I learned of that nasty, fraudulent man, the less regard I had for him. But my apartment mate at the time had become involved with the Crowley inspired OTO. Just as Crowley’s stock was plunging for me it was rising for him. Gustav Klimt: 25 Masterworks belonged to him, and I coveted it. He wanted to own The Book of Lies. We swapped. Shortly thereafter we parted company, and I took this beauty with me. Best trade I ever made.

Nearly 30 years later, this book is still a prize of my library, a gorgeous collection I return to time and time again. And each time I grin thinking about how I got it.

[shems · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m very much in love with klimt’s works and the print quality is just gorgeous. some of the analysis made by the author sometimes err on the side of… offensive ?

[Valeria Midobuche · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Gustav Klimt: 25 masterworks” me pareció una excelente introducción a la obra de este pintor. La selección es representativa y logra transmitir la esencia de su estilo y sobre todo su evolución. El texto, aunque breve, aporta datos precisos e interesantes.
Además, la calidad de impresión realza los detalles y colores de cada una de estas obras maestras. El beso, Danae, Judith I, las 3 edades de la mujer, La virgen, Adan y Eva, El girasol, son algunas de las obras que aparecen.

[Petra X · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bargain book so I was surprised at the quality of the prints. There were even prints I didn't know. A sumptuous book.

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never heard of Klimt until the past few years but then I was only casually interested in art until then. One of a kind and fun to look at.