Review by Choice Review
Klimt (1862-1918) is best known for executing programmatic art to decorate monumental buildings and for his sensual depictions of women and portraits of Viennese society. This book, edited by Koja (Osterreichische Galerie, Belvedere, Vienna) contains seven essays that focus on Klimt's experimental approach and accomplishments in a lesser-known aspect of his art--landscape. The four most illuminating and useful essays examine the context in which Klimt created his landscapes. Verna Perlhefter positions the landscapes within turn-of-the-century Viennese culture; Koja analyzes Klimt's role in the changing Viennese intellectual atmosphere; Peter Peer places Klimt in the tradition of Austrian landscape painting; and Christian Huemer looks at the changing role of the artist in Viennese society. Separate from and perhaps more readily accessible than the essays is Koja's discussion of Klimt's development as a landscape painter, in which he summarizes the importance of each painting in Klimt's career and in European painting. The reproductions of Klimt's landscapes are large, easy to examine, and useful. The miniscule comparative illustrations are useless unless one is familiar with the original painting. The chronology of Klimt's art and life, the maps of sites where he painted, and the select bibliography are helpful. Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through faculty. J. Houghton Muskegon Museum of Art
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
