art history

Time Periods: Post-Impressionism (1880-1890) Symbolism (1890s) Art Nouveau (1890s-1914) Post-Impressionism: While the Impressionists stressed light, shading, and color, the Post-Impressionists wanted to move towards abstraction and explore underlying structure, while preserving traditional elements such as perspective.  Symbolism:  Symbolists embraced a mystical philosophy in which the dreams and inner experiences of an artist's life became a source of inspiration.  Art Nouveau:  Developed mostly in Europe: Brussels, Barcelona, Paris, and Vienna  Seeks to eliminate the seperation among various artistic medias and combine them into one unified experience  Buildings usually designed, furnished and decorated by one artist or group of artists Relies on vegetal and floral patterns; complexity of designs; undulating surfaces Curvilinear; enjoyed use of iron

The Kiss . Gustav Klimt. 1907–1908 C.E. Oil and gold leaf on canvas. Most famous Klimt So much gold, hard to think of it as a non religious; suggested a sense of transcendence Tile, patterning; halo; linear patterns on male form contrast with those of the woman’s whose are curvilinear Figures seem lost in the intensity/eternity of this kiss; abstraction of a universal experience; fulfillment and perfection Bodies not present, cloaked; woman is leaning, represents her passivity, receiving that kiss; deep interior feeling, her eyes closed; her fingers are delicately touching his Sense of male’s physical power; strength of his neck, intensity of his desire; aestheticized  Little of human form; richly designed patterning; all consuming love; passion; gold leaf reminiscent of Byzantine mosaics