The Kiss by Gustav Klimt: Great Art Explained

Comments · 1.3K

• GR

  @GreatArtExplained · 4 years ago · pinned

  Please leave a comment (even a short one) and "like" the video. It really helps promote the channel on  YouTube. I appreciate it! James

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• MI

  @michaelluther3884 · 4 years ago

  I never thought I would be the kind of person to care about art and art history. These videos have awakened a curiosity in me that I thought was dead. Thank you.

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• CL

  @clary_delune · 4 years ago

  It feels illegal to watch these videos for free. They are art masterpieces in their own ways.

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• 4E

  @4everyoung787 · 4 years ago

  When the world needed him the most, he returned.

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• CR

  @croatianshiftry · 4 years ago (edited)

  I was in Vienna as a 17 year old teenager, when I first faced this beautiful painting. After gazing at it for 30minutes I realized, how little of art I comprehend or feel. After visiting the Castle Belevedere my soul opened up the to arts and I started devoting my life to literature, music and art. This painting is very dear to me and thank you Mr. Payne for taking me to a trip to my warmest memories!

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• VO

  @vondahe · 4 years ago

  The Kiss is the single most beautiful painting I have ever seen. I was surprised, however, to hear that it was sexual. Perhaps I’m too naive but I see nothing sexual in it at all. The kiss describes - better than any book - the nature of falling in love. We become infatuated, develop a passion which eventually overpowers us and forces us to succumb and give ourselves to the other person, not knowing for sure if the other person is really who and what we imagine in this this momentary state of delightful insanity.<br><br>One thing that always struck me was how all the beautiful and partially abstract decorations around the kissing couple just fade away when I look into this painting. I can step back and observe them as illustrations of how the intoxicating love feels in our hearts, minds and bodies - but the kiss draws me back in again.<br><br>The painting Judith, on the other had oozes eroticism and doesn’t really tickle my fancy. Looking at that, I feel like I’m suddenly becoming part of the intercourse she seems to be having. Too much for me.

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• MR

  @Mrstik · 4 years ago

  Every episode is gold. You are legitimately teaching me to better appreciate art and I&apos;m very grateful for this.

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• HO

  @hondacrat4339 · 4 years ago

  what I love about this painting is how he is showing true adoration of the woman by kissing her on the cheek. &nbsp;It looks like they are wrapped in a blanket after love making and the glow on her face is one of almost reverence, she looks like a lady of class by the look of her hair/makeup/skin she doesn&apos;t look like she works but she seems so sweet in her face which seems almost like a distinct contrast to the situation of love making... this painter loved women and gave them the ability to be women who make and enjoy love making and at the same time keep their innocence, goodness.

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• BE

  @beatlemaniac · 3 years ago

  Gustav Klimt: the Austrian painter it&apos;s okay to like.

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• LU

  @luadmo4117 · 4 years ago

  the gaudy background of the kiss shows everything else falling away when one is in a lover&apos;s embrace

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• JO

  @joshie1984 · 4 years ago (edited)

  Something I have always mused about towards this painting is that it represents Ariadne and Dionysus. <br> <br>Dionysus the god of ecstasy, who is of legend represented by and pictured with a wreath of Ivy on his head (Ivy in ancient Greece representing vigour, life and fidelity) fell in love with Ariadne and placed a crown of 7 diamonds on her head (7 white flowers on her hair in the painting). <br>When Ariadne died, Zeus took the crown and placed the diamonds into the sky forming the constellation we now call “Corona Borealis” (which incidentally is in the exact semi-circular shape of the 5 blue flowers at the bottom of the woman&apos;s hair).. &nbsp;obviously just my thoughts, but this painting has always conjured that story up for me. <br>This theory of mine is further backed up by the fact that Klimt was very interested in the art of Greek antiquity, especially in his early career. <br> <br>Another notable thing, I think, is that the male is painted deliberately phallic, the neck is too long, thick and the head is shaped like a bulbous glans, perhaps accounting for the look of ecstasy on the womans face! <br> <br>Just my 10 cents!

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• KV

  @kvr8286 · 4 years ago

  If all art history were taught in the way these videos are I would have majored in art history. &nbsp;Endlessly fascinating and wonderfully presented. &nbsp;Thank you!

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