Mother and Child (detail from The Three Ages of Woman), c.1905 Stretched Canvas Print by Gustav Klimt at AllPosters.com

Gustav Klimt’s tenderly maternal “The Three Ages of Woman” is rich in his trademark ornamentation and swirls of golden objects. Inspired by multiple cultures and Symbolist paintings, Klimt (1862-1918), was a pioneer in the Viennese Secession and Art Nouveau movements, which laid the groundwork for Modernist and Art Deco styles. Highly stylized, and often explicitly sensual, Klimt’s influence can still be felt in today’s modern art.

Austrian iconoclast Gustav Klimt (1862 – 1918) triumphed over childhood poverty to significantly influence the Viennese Secession and Art Nouveau movement. Klimt’s elaborate, explicitly sensual works expressed themes of regeneration, love and death, and incorporated Egyptian, Classical Greek, Byzantine and Medieval styles. Klimt also utilized symbols representing art’s liberation from traditional culture. Laying the groundwork for Art Deco and Modernism, Klimt’s creative influence can still be seen in today’s art, decorations and jewelry.