Still Pond

Still Pond

Gustav Klimt's Still Pond dates back to 1899, upon the artist's recollection of his style. The prominent artist had completed art school and was hired as a muralist at the Burgtheatre; painting actors and the mysterious high society that wandered the theatre.

The position granted the painter a great deal of popularity, however Klimt was yet lost with the desire he desired to paint. The artist had secluded himself from the Secession movement overtaking Vienna, and focused on finding his own stroke against the canvas. Eventually, the artist had engulfed himself in the Art Nouveau style that gained popularity, a less realist approach to paintings that uses a greater deal of abstract art.

Soon after, the artist had revolutionized his work as he entered into his gold phase, the most famous period for the artist. Klimt had painted and constructed mosaic masterpieces, with gold and bronze patchwork filling canvases and walls. In between the elaborate mosaic artwork, Klimt had painted an array of portraits showcasing his fascinating for the female form. These paintings accentuated elegance, mystery, and the upper class society of Vienna.

The artist still felt lost within his work and decided to spend his summers aboard in the countryside, reconnecting with the beautiful scenery. During this period, Klimt found an array of impressionist styles to incorporate within his landscape paintings. The painting, Still Pond, illustrates a blend between realism and impressionism, as Klimt intertwined the two together. The painting showcases a small pond, covered in an array of vegetation near the perimeter. The artist had created depth within the piece by painting it on the opposite side of the pond. Klimt used small brush strokes in a horizontal form to construct the piece, blending the colours into one another.

The colour scheme used behind the work follows the classic gloomy shades of realist paintings, covered in greens, browns, and small glimpse of blue. Still Ponds illustrates the small body of water reflecting the scenery around it. The right side mirrors the light blue sky and white clouds, whereas the left side reflects the trees near the water. Klimt blended the upper left portion of the canvas in a dark black colour to illustrate the deep forest. Yet, to the right the artist showcased the young pine trees that cover the forest.

The hidden emotion the viewer is able to feel through the piece is a dark gloomy aurora that fills the canvas. The deep colours add to the feel of the piece, blending the remaining detail into one stroke.

Gustav Klimt's wide range of knowledge in technique and style is achieved through an array of experience. The artist is one of the many few who is able to master so many different styles, and be known for all of them. Still Pond is a classic piece that illustrated the artist's middle ground between realism and impressionism; depict large landscapes covered in traditional colours.