Auction House

Auction: The Gustav Klimt Sale

24. April 2024, 5:00 pm

Object overview
Object

0005

Gustav Klimt

(Wien 1862 - 1918 Wien)

„Standing Nude Facing Right (Study for the "Poesie" - Beethoven Frieze)“
1901
black chalk on paper; framed
45.1 x 32.3 cm
monogrammed on the lower right: G. K.
inscribed on the lower right: R

Provenance

Carl Reininghaus, Vienna;
collection August and Serena Lederer, Vienna;
Erich Lederer, Vienna and Geneva;
private property, Austria

Literature

Marian Bisanz-Prakken, Der Beethovenfries, Salzburg 1977, pl. 39 (p. 159);
Alice Strobl, Gustav Klimt. Die Zeichnungen 1878-1903, vol. I, Salzburg 1980, no. 831, ill. p. 245

Estimate: € 60.000 - 120.000
Auction is closed.
The Auction House reserves the right to request a deposit, bank guarantee or comparable other security in the amount of 10% of the upper estimate. Please also note that purchase orders and accreditation requests must be received by the auction house up to 24 hours before the auction in order to guarantee complete processing.

The radiant “Poetry” is one of the “good” personifications on the third longitudinal wall, whose brightness and harmony are diametrically opposed to the dark chaos of the “Hostile Forces”. Her head bent pensively, this figure, depicted in profile playing the kithara, inspired by ancient Greek models, seems to be immersed in her own world. In his studies, Klimt delves deeply into the essence of this figure, having both clothed and unclothed models pose for him. The rigorously clearcut outline of the nude figure shown here, its arm bent preparing the act of music-making, possesses an archaic austerity. Above all, the powerful contour of the bowed neck and the linearly stylised, closed eyelid express concentrated listening to inspiration from within.
(Marian Bisanz-Prakken)