Gustav Klimt

London : Thames and Hudson, 1990. First Edition. Softcover. Near fine copy in the original stiff-card wrappers; edges slightly nicked and dust-dulled as with age. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description; 216p : ill ; 21cm. Notes; Includes bibliography (p.207) and index. Series; World of art. Summary; Gustav Klimt's work brilliantly negotiates the borders between traditional and modern, figurative and non-figurative art. His subtly erotic portraits, richly patterned landscapes and enigmatic allegorical compositions are at once sensuous and refined, while his extravagant, ornamental style verges on abstraction. Obliged to go his own way when he was denied public commissions, Klimt became the leader of the modernists in Vienna, during the tragic final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and was perhaps the greatest portraitist of his age, a landscape painter of dazzling originality and above all the creator of extraordinary decorative schemes. 159 illus., 29 in color. Subjects; Klimt, Gustav 1862-1918 � Criticism and interpretation. Art Nouveau ; Art Deco ; Individual artists. Austria ; c 1800 to c 1900 ; 20th century. ART / History / General. ART / Individual Artists / General. Painting, Austrian.