Mada Primavesi

Klimt continues his elaborate female portraits with Mada Primavesi

Influences from Japanese art can be found in the bright portrait of Mada Primavesi, the daughter of financier Otto Primavesi.

This was another significant contact for Klimt who would be used for several family portraits (Klimt also painted Primavesi's wife Eugenia) and become the talk of the town in circles of high society.

Much of Klimt's other work had been dominated by elaborate backgrounds, patterned with floral design. Here he uses more subtle items to finish his background scenes. The objects that he used to create this were inspired by Japanese art, such as the birds, fish and butterflies in the rug.

An additional change in approach to be found here is the switch to vertical portraiture, as also seen in his portrait of Serena Lederer. This was a return to his original style, having spent some time in the asymetrical format.