Created from high-quality wood, milled with simple clean lines and presented with a satin finish. Includes an off-white mount that will not discolour or fade with age. - Simple, elegant design - Premium, fine art paper with a gently textured surface - Handmade by specialist picture framers - FSC certified off-white mat / window mount - Delivered ready for hanging

"The Kiss" (Der Kuss) is an exquisite, intimate masterpiece created by Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt between 1907 and 1908. The painting, measuring approximately 180 x 180 cm, depicts a loving couple locked in an eternal embrace on the precipice of a blooming meadow, with their bodies entwined in elaborate, gilded robes.

The visual scene is captivating, with the figures posed against a background that shimmers with gold leaf, a hallmark of Klimt’s mature work and his famed "Golden Period." The man, whose face is partly visible, bends over the woman, offering a tender kiss on her cheek. His robe is adorned with geometric shapes—rectangles and squares in black, white, and gold—that symbolize masculinity. In contrast, the woman’s eyes are closed, exuding a serene, surrendered joy; her garment is decorated with circular shapes and floral motifs, suggestive of femininity and nature.

Beneath them, vivid patches of flowers in purple, yellow, and white lushly spread across the meadow, adding vitality and a sense of organic life to the composition. The foliage-ground transitions seamlessly into the golden void that surrounds the couple, suggesting their isolation and union in an ethereal realm.

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was a prominent Viennese painter known for his remarkable contributions to the Art Nouveau movement and his establishment of the Vienna Secession, an influential group of artists who sought to break away from traditional art norms. Klimt’s work is characterized by its sensuous and often erotic nature, which frequently sparked controversy during his lifetime.

"The Kiss" is one of Klimt’s most famous works and is emblematic of his experimental phase where he integrated the opulence of Byzantine art with modernist sensibilities. This painting not only represents the pinnacle of his "Golden Period" but also reflects broader themes of human connection, love, and sensuality that are central to his oeuvre.

The original painting is housed in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, Austria. This museum holds one of the most significant collections of Austrian art and showcases many of Klimt’s masterpieces.

- Medium and Technique: Klimt used oil paints and gold leaf on canvas, a combination that creates a luxurious, glowing effect, heightening the sense of divine love and spiritual transcendence.
- Symbolism: The use of gold reflects Klimt’s fascination with the lavish decoration of Byzantine mosaics, particularly those he admired during his visit to Ravenna. The contrasting patterns on the robes signify the melding of masculine and feminine energies, suggesting harmony and unity.
- Impact: "The Kiss" is considered a sublime representation of love and intimacy. It has become an iconic piece in the canon of Western art history and continues to captivate audiences with its dreamlike quality and emotive depth.

In summary, "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt stands as a timeless emblem of romantic love, blending exquisite ornamental design with profound emotional resonance, representing the unique and visionary artistry of one of Vienna's most celebrated artists.