Klimt Paintings And Grandma Moses Paintings

By Darren Hartley


Three Klimt paintings, namely, Philosophy, Medicine and Jurisprudence, were criticized for their radical themes and material. They were considered pornographic. These paintings transformed traditional allegory and symbolism into a new language which was more overtly sexual, hence, more disturbing. Unfortunately, all three paintings were destroyed by retreating SS forces in May, 1945.

Nuda Verita, painted in 1899, is another example of radical Klimt paintings, meant to shake up the establishment. It featured a starkly naked red-headed woman holding the mirror of truth. Above the image was the quotation, "If you cannot please everyone with your deeds and your art, please a few. To please many is bad."

A second collection of Klimt paintings included gold paint, abstract space on the art and exotic symbolism of the female figure. This prominent style became a standard feature in future Klimt pieces. The 1905 pieces, Danae and The Kiss, were extremely erotic and exotic in nature, depicting the differences in the male and female sexuality.

Grandma Moses paintings were widely famous nostalgic paintings depicting rural American life. They were internationally recognized and remained popular to this day. The first painting completed by Grandma Moses was done in the farm in Eagle Ridge where she spent the rest of her life starting in 1907.

Grandma Moses paintings consist of simple pictures of family, church and community scenes, extolling the virtues of honesty and hard work. Grandma Moses provided the example for these virtues. Her studio was an old kitchen table placed in a utility room.

Grandma Moses paintings also depicted familiar farm life scenes. They told stories about apple butter making, soap and maple syrup making, corn husking and candle making. Grandma Moses regarded her art as something she enjoyed doing which provided her with some extra money. She was often times bedazzled by people who make a fuss over her and contended to be the same person she was before, regardless of her fame and fortune.




About the Author: