Seite 103

About this artwork

Die Figur des/der gramgebeugten Alten wieder ganz am linken Bildrand und etwas höher positioniert, in etwa wie auf Seite 83. Das seitliche Gesicht der Sphinx wieder angedeutet.

Art Historical Context

**Seite 103 from Gustav Klimt's Sketch (1898)** Step into the intimate world of Gustav Klimt creative process with *Seite 103*, a page from his red leather sketchbook, measuring a compact 14.3 × 9.2 × 1.4 cm. Created in 1898, this pencil drawing with notes and a black-and-white captures the artist's preliminary explorations during a pivotal time. Klimt, a leading figure in Vienna's Secessionist movement founded just a year earlier, used such sketchbooks to refine ideas, blending realism with symbolic motifs amid the city's vibrant Art Nouveau scene. On this page, a hunched elderly figure reappears at the far left edge, positioned slightly higher than on page 83, evoking vulnerability and introspection. Klimt subtly sketches the profile of a Sphinx nearby, hinting at mythological themes of enigma and human frailty—recurring symbols in his oeuvre. These pencil studies reveal his meticulous technique: quick, expressive lines that build form and emotion, often precursors to his iconic gold-leaf paintings. Housed in Vienna's Belvedere Collection, this sketchbook page offers a rare glimpse into Klimt's preparatory genius, underscoring how everyday notations fueled masterpieces. For visitors, it's a reminder that even geniuses began with humble doodles, bridging the gap between imagination and canvas.

About the Artist

Gustav Klimt · 1862–1918

Gustav Klimt was born on July 14, 1862, in Baumgarten near Vienna, the second of seven children in a modest family of artistic bent. His father, Ernst Klimt, a gold engraver who had immigrated from Bohemia, and his mother, Anna Finster, an aspiring musician, instilled an early appreciation for craft and creativity amid financial hardship. Klimt displayed prodigious drawing talent, prompting his en...