Water Serpents II by Gustav Klimt

Contemplative abandonment and the softness of flesh define this nude study of great formal purity. In the creation entitled “Water Serpents II”, the renowned portraitist Gustav Klimt chooses to depict a female figure in a posture of rare linear elegance. The work establishes itself as a major plastic research into saturated color, combining the softness of a youthful face with the rigid geometry of a complex plant setting.

A young woman with a fair complexion and red hair is depicted in profile, her body reclined and her eyes closed in an attitude of melancholic serenity. She is dressed in a fluid drapery adorned with multicolored discs and floral motifs, while her satin skin stands out against a complex mosaic background. At her side, another figure with blurred features seems to melt into the dark twilight of the setting. Bands of fabric in purple, blue, and ocher shades snake around their fused silhouettes. Soft light highlights the whiteness of the skin and the brilliance of the ornaments.

The craftsman’s genius shines through in the meticulous reproduction of the background floral motifs and the reflections of the adornment. His flawless oil technique offers a perfect matte finish to the painted surfaces and a remarkable clarity to the silky draperies with striking realism. This meticulous work confirms the splendor of his expertise.