Bust of a Lady

Bust of a Lady

The artist of the Bust of a Lady, Gustav Klimt, incorporates essential drawing techniques to showcase the presence of a woman in all their form.

The simple drawing belongs to a showcase sketches Klimt kept, as the muse remains unknown.

The classic sketch showcases the array of talent Gustav Klimt holds, as had graduated from the art university in Vienna and hired to paint for their national theatre. His techniques have been able to transcend through an array of styles, from detail oriented realistic portraits to mosaic modernist murals.

Yet, a common theme encompassed with the artist's masterpieces is the structure of the human presence and form in protriates.

Klimt never painted the sketch of the woman in his future career, however the drawing was held as a form of inspiration throughout his work.

Klimt was always inspired by the sexual allure the female body held, illustrating it through erotic forms within his work, later to be criticized and studies through generations. This common theme if found in over half of the artist's paintings, with his famous piece The Kiss, illustrating the woman as the focal point of the art.

The sketch of the woman illustrates a beautiful classic woman drenched in a ruffled dress that accentuates her breasts. Her body is tilted forward, pouring her breasts forward while meeting the gaze of the viewer. A similar painting to the theme of woman with their breasts exposed is by Edouard Manet, in The Blonde With Bare Breasts (1879).

This painting illustrates a beautiful blonde woman whose head is tilted to the side, yet illustrates her breast to be shown to the viewer. Both pieces hold a sexual allure to one another, as both woman acknowledge the presence of the viewer, yet arch their body to display a glimpse of their breast.

Again both woman within Manet's painting, and Klimt's sketch are engulfed in ruffles, to showcase the texture of their bare skin. The sophisticated angles that the woman is placed in bring the viewer to question the history behind the work.

The woman within the Bust of a Lady has her hair is pinned up in a tall hairstyle, as Klimt accentuates her lush curls. The woman's eyebrows hold the classic arched shape Klimt drew, accompanied by small lips and a rounded face.

The sketch neither remains finished nor unfinished, yet instead was most likely used for Klimt to showcase his inspiration and work on his technique. The piece is neither detail oriented, however emphasizes rich curls and ruffles within the woman's hair and clothing.

The drawing will remain as part of an array of sketches found upon Klimt's death. The quick sketch of inspiration carries an immense number of details, acquired through endless number of years painting. Gustav Klimt's work will transform the style of artists in years to come, opening the gates to different form of methods and techniques.