University Art Critique: Gustave Klimt's 'Death and Life' Analysis

This essay provides a detailed art critique of Gustave Klimt's painting 'Death and Life'. The analysis explores the symbolism of the artwork, focusing on the representation of life, death, and the human condition. The critique examines the use of color, form, and composition, highlighting the influence of the Vienna Secession movement and the Symbolist style. The artwork depicts the circle of life, from birth to old age, and the impact of death. The essay discusses the materials used, such as the cross, and the overall message conveyed by Klimt. The critique also looks at the painting's structure, the aggressive color scheme, and the contrasts between life and death, as well as the role of religion and the emotional impact of the artwork. The author emphasizes the painting's purpose and how it emphasizes the element of religion. References to relevant academic papers are also included.

Running head: ART CRITIQUE OF GUSTAVE KLIMTS DEATH AND LIFE
Art Critique of Gustave Klimts Death and Life
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1ART CRITIQUE OF GUSTAVE KLIMTS DEATH AND LIFE
The Austrian symbolist painter Gustave Klimt was one of the acclaimed members of
the Vienna Secession movement. He is famous for the paintings, sketches along with murals.
The primary subject of his painting was the female body and eroticism can be found in his
works.
The first impression that I had on seeing the painting was that it represents people
from almost every age group from that of the baby to grandmother. It depicts the circle of life
of different individuals and the agony inflicted on them by the force called “life” (Miller,
2017)
To me the form of the artwork does not suggest personal death but rather it
symbolizes an allegorical Grim Reaper who perceives life in a malicious manner. The
composition of the background in shades of grey highlights the brooding malevolent force
that exists in the society and clutches life away from the individuals (Musso & Enz, 2017).
The materials that can be recognized in the painting are that of cross that signifies the
overpowering influence that religion has on the human beings of the earth. It shows the
influence of the Symbolist Movement in the paintings. Religion is of crucial importance and
it helps an individual in differentiating right from that of the wrong. Religion helps in binding
people together on a common platform.
The subject of the painting shows the style of the symbolist artists and it shows that
death can swipe the individuals away from life but humanity will always continue to escape
from the clutches of death. Circle of life is manifested in that of the pastel coloured circular
ornament that decorates life like that of a garland.
The colours that have been used in the painting is that of grey, deep blue and
brownish red. The colours symbolize the darkness of life and the monotony prevailing in the
life of the individuals within the society. The shape that have been used is that of the cross

2ART CRITIQUE OF GUSTAVE KLIMTS DEATH AND LIFE
and the circle which suggests the everlasting pattern of life (da Mota et al., 2016). The colour
scheme is aggressive and he makes use of un-diluted oils within the canvas.
The particular thing that attracts me in the artwork is that of mental peace and solace
that one can get with the help of sleep. Death can also help in relieving the pain and worry
that exist in the life of the individuals.
The common aspects in the designs is the circle and the cross that signifies two
crucial elements- life and that of religion. The form of the female used in the paintings helped
in highlighting the element called life (Wang, 2016). The deep tones of the painting helps in
highlighting an object that can strike down any person.
The paining has been divided into two parts and it helps in reminding that life is
always being looked at with malice. The two halves of the painting are symbolic of death and
life and the grim reaper suggests the dark elements of that of the artwork.
The colour and form has been contrasted in the painting of Gustave Klimts “Death
and life” in order to create a powerful message. Klimt has made use of colour in order to
show the different aspects of life and death in his paintings (Garces-Foley, 2014). Death
contemplates people from that of the different back grounds and it has an overbearing
influence on the people.
The painting is about the fact that death keeps a look on everyone and assesses the
people from that of adults to that of the children. The hidden things have been represented
with the help of symbolism. It suggests that even if death strikes an individual the rest of the
people will continue to live (Zandian et al., 2017) Death has been portrayed in a bold manner
in the painting and the intentions of death are not hidden.
The artist is trying to convey the message that life is bright and this has been
portrayed with the help of freshly blooming colours. The circular elements can be found near

3ART CRITIQUE OF GUSTAVE KLIMTS DEATH AND LIFE
the circle of that of life. It shows that beauty continue to be there even after going through the
rough times.
The artwork has a purpose and it emphasizes on the element of religion. The painting
shows that life along with death are intertwined with the concept of religion. The grey
background suggests the dark forces that every individual has to face.
The feelings that I get from the painting is the overpowering influence of death. Death
has been represented in the form of the grinning skull that is covered within that of a dark
robe. The painting reveals how women acts as a vital force in life as women act as the source
of life. The patrons of the age loved to meditate on the element of religion and death and this
has been brought forward in the painting.

4ART CRITIQUE OF GUSTAVE KLIMTS DEATH AND LIFE
References:
da Mota, L. M. H., Neubarth, F., de Carvalho, J. F., Diniz, L. R., Aires, R. B., & dos Santos-
Neto, L. L. (2016). Adele Bloch-Bauer (1881–1925): Possible diagnoses for Gustav
Klimt's Lady in Gold. Journal of medical biography, 24(3), 389-396.
Garces-Foley, K. (2014). Death and religion in a changing world. Routledge.
Miller, H. E. (2017). A Partner in Their Suffering: Gustav Klimt's Empowered Figure in
Hope II.
Musso, C. G., & Enz, P. A. (2017). Art as an instrument to understand the concept of death.
Wang, B. (2016). Artwork Credits. Elements, 12(2).
Zandian, P., Habibi, M., Seydi, Z., Kleman, B., Tayeri, N., Fashandi, N., & Shariat, S. V.
(2017). How Gender, Majors, Religion and Mental Health Affect the Justified Death
Attitude?. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, (In Press).