1994 After Gustav Klimt, "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer" First German Edition Poster

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Description

A stunning poster after Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (oil on canvas with gold, 1907, 4.53' x 4.53'), by Gustav … Read more A stunning poster after Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (oil on canvas with gold, 1907, 4.53' x 4.53'), by Gustav Klimt (1862 – 1918). Printed on a sheet of heavy paper, on one side. First German Edition as a poster. Excellent condition - minor edge wear, never framed. Germany, 1994.

Overall 12"W x 17"H

In this work, marking a transition in Klimt's approach to portrait painting, the body is entirely covered with a repetitive pattern of decorative motifs in a manner that brings out the figure's face. Just like in the Stoclet Frieze, realism and abstraction confront each other here. The Byzantine design of the surface areas, as densely patterned as a mosaic, dominates so effectively that it is only upon second or third glance that other references fancied by Klimt - strange graphic motifs such as Egyptian eye inscribed with triangle or Mycenean swirl - come to our attention.

Gustav Klimt‘s two portraits of Adele Bloch-Bauer were part of one of the biggest Nazi-looted art restitution cases in history. The more famous Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (1907), nicknamed Woman in Gold for its dazzling use of lustrous gold embellishments, is a prime example of the artist’s “Golden Style.” It was the subject of the film of the same name starring Helen Mirren as Block-Bauer’s niece Maria Altmann and Ryan Reynolds as her lawyer in her fight to reclaim her aunt’s paintings. After eight years, Altmann successfully won her legal battle with the Austrian government, and she and her family were granted ownership of the five Klimts. Bloch-Bauer was the only subject the artist ever painted twice in full length. Following their victory, the family sold the works, and the Neue Galerie snapped up first Bloch-Bauer canvas at auction for $135 million in 2006, then a record sum. The other four paintings went to private buyers.

This poster was published in Germany years before the original painting along with other Klimt's paintings belonged to the Bloch-Bauers, was returned to the family. See less