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Student Artwork Guide

Medicine (composition draft)

Gustav Klimt

Name Class Date
Gustav Klimt, Medicine (composition draft). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Gustav Klimt topimpressionists.com/en/artists/gustav-klimt/
Artist’s dates
1862 – 1918
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Movement
Art Nouveau Flowing, plant-like curves running through everything from paintings to lamps and doorways.
Period
19th Century
Artistic style
Symbolist
Influences
Vienna Secession
Notable elements or techniques
Allegorical figures, Decorative background
Subject or theme
Medicine

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Gustav Klimt died in 1918; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1988.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 56 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1899 Main working years: 1899–1911 Late works: from 1911

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #5a3f20

    Catalogued palette

    • #5A3F20
    • #362216
    • #735D38
    • #8A7658

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Gustav Klimt over the last twelve months — 96 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 27.3%
    2. 2 Italy 14.6%
    3. 3 Spain 5.4%
    4. 4 Russia 5.2%
    5. 5 France 4.2%
    6. 6 United States of America 4.1%
    7. 7 Hong Kong 3.4%
    8. 8 Singapore 3.2%
    9. 9 Brazil 2.6%
    10. 10 Greece 2.5%
    11. · 86 other countries 27.5%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Gustav Klimt

    1. 1 The kiss 17.9%
    2. 2 The Tree of Life, 1909 7.9%
    3. 3 Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, 1907 4.5%
    4. 4 Judith, 1901 2.5%
    5. 5 Danae, 1908 2.2%
    6. 6 Allegory of 'Sculpture', 1889 1.9%
    7. 7 Water Serpents II (Bewegtes Wasser sfondo) 1.8%
    8. 8 Bildnis Fritza Riedler, 1906 - Österreichische Galerie, Vienna 1.8%
    9. 9 Hope II, 1908 1.6%
    10. 10 Poppy Field, 1907 1.6%
    11. 11 Beethoven Frieze; The Arts, Choir of Angels, Embracing Couple 1.5%
    12. 12 Farm Garden with Crucifix, 1911 1.5%
    13. 13 Naked Girl Standing, with Right Hand to Breast, 1906 1.2%
    14. 14 Ode To Klimt 1.2%
    15. 15 Death and Life, 1908 1.1%
    16. 16 The Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze, 1909 1.1%
    17. 17 Music I, 1895 1.1%
    18. 18 Birch Forest, 1903 - Vienna, Osterreichische Museum für Angewandte Kunst, 1903 1.0%
    19. 19 38.La vírgen, 1913 0.9%
    20. 215 Medicine (composition draft) this painting 0.1%

    Together these works take 54.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 724 works by this artist, of which 621 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 215 of them, with 0.1% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt

    Medicine (composition draft)

    Gustav Klimt was a renowned Austrian symbolist painter who profoundly impacted the art world with his unique style and approach to Art Nouveau. One of his notable works, Medicine, is a remarkable example of this style, showcasing the artist’s skillful use of color, pattern, and composition.

    The Painting 'Medicine'

    Medicine is an oil painting on canvas that portrays a female figure, symbolizing medicine, surrounded by allegorical figures representing various aspects of health and illness. The painting’s intricate details and visually captivating composition invite viewers to explore its depths. Gustav Klimt’s approach to Art Nouveau is characterized by his flattening of the female form onto the same even plane as the decorative background, turning it into another design shape.

    Collecting Oil Paintings: Hand-Painted Reproductions

    For those interested in collecting oil paintings, Medicine by Gustav Klimt is an excellent choice. As a reputable online art gallery, AllPaintingsStore.com offers high-quality hand-painted reproductions of this masterpiece. Our skilled artists meticulously recreate each detail to ensure the reproduction captures the essence and beauty of the original painting. You can find more information about our hand-painted reproductions on our website, including this page.

    Why Choose Hand-Painted Reproductions?

    Hand-painted reproductions offer several benefits, including:

    Unique and original artwork

    High-quality materials and craftsmanship

    Affordable prices compared to original paintings

    By choosing a hand-painted reproduction of Medicine, you can own a piece of art history without breaking the bank. Visit AllPaintingsStore.com to explore our collection of hand-painted reproductions, including works by Gustav Klimt and other famous artists.

    Gustav Klimt was a visionary artist who pushed the boundaries of artistic expression during his time. His distinctive style—characterized by opulent gold leaf embellishments and intricate geometric patterns—established him as one of the foremost figures in Art Nouveau. Medicine exemplifies this aesthetic perfectly, reflecting Klimt’s fascination with mythology and symbolism while simultaneously exploring themes of femininity and healing. The painting's deliberate flatness disrupts traditional perspective, prioritizing decorative elements over realistic representation, aligning seamlessly with the broader artistic movement's rejection of academic conventions.

    The Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien, where Gustav Klimt studied, played a significant role in shaping the artistic landscape of Europe. You can learn more about the academy’s history and significance on our website, including this article.

    This article delves into the academy’s formative influence on Klimt's artistic development and its contribution to fostering a vibrant creative environment within Vienna. It underscores the importance of institutions like the Akademie in nurturing talent and promoting innovative approaches to artmaking—a legacy that continues to resonate today.

    The painting is a beautiful artwork by the artist Gustave Klimt. The piece is titled Medicine (composition draft). It features a woman in red clothing as the main subject of the painting. She appears to be looking downward and has her hands folded together. In addition to the main figure, there are several other people present in the scene. Some of them are located near the top left corner of the image, while others can be seen scattered throughout the background. The overall composition of the painting is quite intricate and captivating.

    This page provides detailed information about the artwork's dimensions, materials, and artistic techniques—essential considerations for discerning collectors seeking authenticity and appreciating Klimt’s masterful craftsmanship.

    ### Additional Research: Gustav Klimt was a visionary artist who pushed the boundaries of artistic expression during his time. His distinctive style—characterized by opulent gold leaf embellishments and intricate geometric patterns—established him as one of the foremost figures in Art Nouveau. Medicine exemplifies this aesthetic perfectly, reflecting Klimt’s fascination with mythology and symbolism while simultaneously exploring themes of femininity and healing. The painting's deliberate flatness disrupts traditional perspective, prioritizing decorative elements over realistic representation, aligning seamlessly with the broader artistic movement's rejection of academic conventions.

    Gustav Klimt (14 July 1862 – 6 February 1918) was an Austrian Symbolist painter and a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement. His work helped define the Art Nouveau style in Europe. Klimt is known for his paintings, murals, sketches, and other objets d'art. Klimt's primary subject was the female body, and his works are marked by a frank eroticism. Amongst his figurative works,The Kiss (Klimt) is an oil painting with added gold leaf, silver and platinum by the Austrian Symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. It was painted at some point in 1907 and 1908, during the height of what scholars call his “Golden Period”. It was exhibited in 1908 under the title Liebespaar (the lovers) as stated in the catalogue of the exhibition. The painting depicts a couple embracing each other, their

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Gustav Klimt

    Born in Baumgarten, Austria

    A Life Forged in Gold and Shadow

    Born on July 14, 1862, in Baumgarten, near Vienna, Gustav Klimt entered a world where the boundaries of art and craft were intimately linked. His father, Ernst Klimt, worked as a gold engraver, a profession that left an indelible mark on his son’s visual language. The young Gustav learned to appreciate the weight of precious metals and the precision of fine detail long before he ever held a brush. This early exposure to the luster of gold leaf would later define his most famous period. Despite the financial hardships that forced his family through frequent moves within Vienna, his talent was undeniable. By 1876, he had entered the Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule, focusing on architectural painting under Ferdinand Laufberger.

    His early professional years were marked by a steady, academic success. Alongside his brother Ernst and Franz von Matsch, Klimt formed a partnership that secured essential commissions for decorative murals and ceilings. These works required a disciplined hand and an eye for large-scale ornamentation. He found himself working on significant projects, such as the staircases of the Burgtheater in Vienna, earning the Gold Cross of Merit from Emperor Franz Joseph I. During this time, he looked toward the historical styles of Hans Makart, yet a restless energy was already beginning to stir beneath his formal training.

    The Rebellion of the Secession

    By the late 1890s, the constraints of the Viennese academic establishment had become stifling. Klimt sought a space where innovation could exist outside the rigid dictates of tradition. In 1897, he became the first president of the Vienna Secession, a movement designed to embrace new currents like Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and Japonism. This was an era of profound change, and Klimt stood at its center. He rejected the heavy, historical academicism in favor of organic lines and symbolic depth. His work began to explore the complexities of human intimacy, sexuality, and mortality with a frankness that often unsettled the conservative public.

    This period of defiance brought both significant friction and profound creative growth. A notable instance occurred around 1900, when his commissions for the University of Vienna ceiling paintings—specifically Philosophy—were criticized as being too provocative. The backlash was severe enough that Klimt eventually withdrew from further public commissions, choosing instead to focus on private patronage. This shift allowed him to refine a more personal, decorative style. He drew heavily from the flattened perspectives and patterned aesthetics of Japanese art, integrating these elements into compositions that blurred the distinction between fine painting and ornamental design.

    The Golden Era and Final Transitions

    Around 1900, Klimt entered his most recognizable phase, often called his golden period. Inspired by the mosaics of Ravenna and medieval manuscripts, he began using gold leaf to create surfaces that seemed to radiate their own light. Works such as The Kiss (1907-1908) demonstrate this mastery, featuring figures enveloped in a shimmering, patterned aura. His portraits from this time, including the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, captured more than mere physical likeness; they conveyed a psychological weight through the use of intricate, mosaic-like textures.

    As his life drew toward its end, Klimt’s style underwent another subtle transformation. The heavy ornamentation of the golden phase began to give way to a more restrained and angular aesthetic. In works completed in 1918, such as The Jurisprudence, there is a move toward expressive simplification and sharper lines, perhaps reflecting the influence of the burgeoning Expressionist movement. His final years were marked by this continued evolution, even as he faced the physical toll of the Spanish Flu pandemic. He passed away on February 6, 1918, leaving behind a body of work that fundamentally altered the trajectory of Austrian modernism.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Medicine (composition draft)

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Klimt, Gustav. Medicine (composition draft). n.d., https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/
    APA
    Klimt, Gustav (n.d.). Medicine (composition draft) [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/
    Chicago
    Gustav Klimt. Medicine (composition draft). n.d. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/
    Harvard
    Klimt, Gustav (n.d.) Medicine (composition draft). Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/gustav-klimt-medicine-composition-draft-7Z5Q5D-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: symbolism, female figure, allegory. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The kiss, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Art Nouveau: Flowing, plant-like curves running through everything from paintings to lamps and doorways. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What artistic movement is Gustav Klimt’s Medicine primarily associated with?

      • A Romanticism
      • B Impressionism
      • C Art Nouveau

    2. 2. In Medicine, Klimt employs a technique known as ‘flattening,’ where what is achieved?

      • A Creating realistic depth and perspective.
      • B Blending colors to achieve subtle gradations.
      • C Reducing the figures to geometric shapes.

    3. 3. What symbolic representation is prominent in Medicine’s composition?

      • A A depiction of religious iconography.
      • B Emphasis on classical mythology.
      • C The merging of male and female forms into a single decorative element.

    4. 4. Where was Gustav Klimt educated initially?

      • A Sorbonne University
      • B Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts
      • C Vienna Kunstgewerbeschule

    5. 5. What role did the Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien play in shaping Klimt’s artistic development?

      • A It rejected his artistic vision.
      • B It provided him with foundational technical training.
      • C It encouraged him to experiment with avant-garde styles.

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1C · 2C · 3C · 4C · 5C

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 27, 2026

    Medicine (composition draft) — Gustav Klimt Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Where can I download "Medicine (composition draft)" by Gustav Klimt?

    "Medicine (composition draft)" by Gustav Klimt can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page, as a high-resolution digital image download.

    What emotional tone accompanies the Art Nouveau style of "Medicine (composition draft)"?

    "Medicine (composition draft)" carries a melancholic emotional tone within the Art Nouveau movement.

    In which movement and which era is "Medicine (composition draft)" by Gustav Klimt placed?

    "Medicine (composition draft)" by Gustav Klimt is placed in the Art Nouveau movement, within the 19th-Century era of its creator.