Danaë

Danaë
Gustav_Klimt_danae
Artist Gustav Klimt
Year 1907
Medium Oil on canvas
Location Galerie Würthle, Vienna, Austria
Dimensions 30 in × 33 in
77 cm × 83 cm
Famous Paintings by Gustav Klimt
The Kiss
Adele Bloch-Bauer I
The Three Ages of Woman
Adele Bloch-Bauer II
Beethoven Frieze
Danaë

In 1907, Gustav finished the work on his version of Danaë, a popular topic for the artists that lived during his time. His painting captures the image of the princess imprisoned by the king in a bronze tower. During that time she was visited by Zeus in the form of a golden rain that flows between her legs. Danaë’s face shows signs of arousal by the golden stream. The artist is trying to create a quintessential symbol of transcendence and divine love using Danaë as the main protagonist of his artwork.

Gustav Klimt

Born in a family of three brothers in 1862, Gustav painted his greatest artworks after the tragic death of his father and brother. At that moment in life, the artist started to discover contemporary art and symbolism. Most of his paintings focus on the female body covered in a deep tone of erotism. His weakness for the female body and symbolism got him to stand out as one of the most influential members of the Vienna Secession movement.