Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt

“Tree of Life” by Gustav Klimt – Looking at the Famous Stoclet Frieze

The Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt was created during the artist’s Golden Period and is one of his most well-known works from a long and illustrious career. The Tree of Life painting continues the artist’s symbolic approach, employing a theme that may be found in many parts of historical literature, most often depicting life and progress. The intricate embellishments of the tree’s limbs are what make this work so recognizable, and even those who are unfamiliar with most of this artist’s work will recognize the Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze painting right away.

 

 

The Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt

Date of Completion1909
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions195 cm x 102 cm
Current LocationMuseum of Applied Arts, Vienna, Austria

Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt is one of his most well-known works, along with Water Serpents II, and the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, among others. Beyond Gustav Klimt, the Tree of Life is a significant topic, since it represents an essential emblem within many religious belief systems. The Tree of Life is used by many religions and cultures to depict how nature’s components are linked to one another in complicated chains and interactive combinations.

The painting also has additional significance for Klimt’s admirers: it is the artist’s sole landscape made during his Golden Period. During this period, Klimt combined oil painting methods with gold paint to produce luxury artworks.

Stoclet Frieze Nine working drawings by Gustav Klimt for the execution of the Stoclet Frieze for the dining room of Stoclet House in Brussels (1910-1911); Gustav Klimt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

The Artist Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt was born in Austria in 1862. Klimt developed an interest in murals and building ceilings as he grew older. Although his sibling decided to become a gold engraver as his father had done, Klimt concentrated on his love for design and art until the moment that he became well-known and turned to paint as a profession.

Klimt’s painting technique began to shift as he grew older and encountered tragedy in his personal life.

Previously, he created gorgeous, yet plain works of art based on historical subjects. He then began painting figuratively instead. He showed a deep interest in psychology and wanted to paint more female portraits. A collective of artists gathered in Vienna, Austria, in 1897 to create the Vienna Secessionists, a new organization.

Gustav Klimt Photographic portrait of Gustav Klimt, 1914; Josef Anton Trčka, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

These painters had had it with popular art and were sick of gazing at and painting realistic situations in the same way as previous generations. They want something new. They, like Klimt, intended to employ symbols in their work. Klimt became a member of this group of painters and began to experiment with this new style of painting.

He started painting more women’s portraits, but he also painted landscapes.

Klimt quit the Vienna Secession movement in 1908 and began working on a new form of painting with gold leaves. Klimt is well known today for these works. Applying small flecks of gold leaf to his paintings required a lot of time and a steady hand.

 

Concept of the Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze

Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze is a symbolist artwork. It was produced in 1909 and is a symbolic artwork in the Art Nouveau style. It is on display in Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts. The piece is an idea for a series of three mosaics created by Klimt between the years 1905 and 1911 for a contracted project at the Palais Stoclet located in Brussels, Belgium. The murals, which depict spinning Trees of Life, a rising feminine form, and entwined lovers, were created by the painter during his late works era. They adorn three sides of the Palais’ dining area, as well as two figural portions that face each other.

Full Stoclet Frieze View of the Stoclet Frieze on the walls of the dining room at the Stoclet Palace, 1914; Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Gustav Klimt’s painting depicts the notion of the tree of life in a powerful and creative way. The flowing branches conjure up mythical imagery, alluding to life’s inexorable continuation. The branches twist, twirl, swirl, spiral, and undulate, forming a tangle of powerful branches, lengthy vines, and delicate threads, expressing the intricacy of life. The tree of life, with its limbs reaching for the sky, roots into the land beneath it, providing a link between earth and heaven, a metaphor that many civilizations, religions, and philosophies used to describe the notion of the tree of life.

Klimt’s depiction of the tree of life also establishes a link with the underworld, symbolizing the final determinism that governs each living thing that is born, flourishes, and finally returns to the soil.

Tree of Life Painting The Tree of Life (1910-1911) by Gustav Klimt, forming the central component of the Stoclet FriezeGustav Klimt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While many people see Gustav Klimt’s The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze as a sign of oneness, others see it as a manifestation of patriarchal and feminine power. Sustenance, care, and growth are symbolized by the feminine in the picture, whilst the male is represented by phallic symbols. Life is born from this unique connection.

Others believe the artwork represents the coming together of man’s greatest virtues: power, intelligence, and beauty.

The tree straining for the sky is a metaphor for man’s never-ending desire to grow, even while his roots remain firmly planted on the ground. One of the most appealing aspects of The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze is that it encourages the observer to spend more time enjoying the artwork and deciphering its implications. While the artist depicts a mystical world with a plethora of symbols, gold paint, and other opulent methods, the presence of a solitary blackbird pulls the viewer’s attention to the painting’s center. Because blackbirds have been regarded as an emblem of death by many civilizations, the blackbird acts as a warning that all that has a start also has an end.

The Tree of Life Painting The Tree of Life (1910-1911) by Gustav Klimt; Gustav Klimt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Today we have explored the “Tree of Life” painting. The Tree of Life is an ancient concept dating back to antiquity. It is a symbolic picture that links life and death, as well as heaven and earth. The tree’s roots grow underground, in the domain of the underworld. The stem then bursts through the soil and ascends to the heavens. As the link to the skies, the top tree branches coil, twist, and interweave. As a result, the Tree of Life reflects both the continuity of life and its intricacies. It connects all aspects of life. Klimt takes this link even further by employing a flattened manner and design elements that encircle the entire area.

 

 

Take a look at our Tree of Life painting webstory here!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who Was Gustav Klimt?

Gustav Klimt was an Austrian artist who was interested in art’s ornamental characteristics. He was one of the founding members of the Vienna Secession in 1897, a group of painters. They resisted orthodox academic art in favor of more attractive surfaces and innovative concepts for the future century. Klimt’s paintings were noted for their profound symbolism and sensual imagery. He became one of the most important painters of the Vienna Secession, and was considered scandalous at times and lauded at others.

 

What Did the Tree of Life Symbolize?

The Tree of Life is a time-honored idea that dates back to antiquity. It’s a symbol that connects death and life, as well as earth and heaven. The roots of the tree grow underground, in the realm of the underworld. After that, the stem bursts through the dirt and ascends to the skies. The upper tree branches wrap, twist, and intertwine like a link to the heavens. As a consequence, the Tree of Existence symbolizes both the continuity and complexities of life. It binds together all areas of existence. Klimt expands on this connection by adopting a flattened style and design elements that encompass the entire region.

 

Cite this Article

Alicia, du Plessis, ““Tree of Life” by Gustav Klimt – Looking at the Famous Stoclet Frieze.” Art in Context. May 5, 2022. URL: https://artincontext.org/tree-of-life-by-gustav-klimt/

du Plessis, A. (2022, 5 May). “Tree of Life” by Gustav Klimt – Looking at the Famous Stoclet Frieze. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/tree-of-life-by-gustav-klimt/

du Plessis, Alicia. ““Tree of Life” by Gustav Klimt – Looking at the Famous Stoclet Frieze.” Art in Context, May 5, 2022. https://artincontext.org/tree-of-life-by-gustav-klimt/.

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