A classic-trained artist praised for the symbolism of his paintings and originality of his interior designs, Gustav Klimt turned in the late 1890s to the radical styles of Art Nouveau. In 1897, he became one of the founding members and president of the Vienna Secession movement whose goal was to shake-up the conventional establishment and ensure complete freedom of artistic expression. From the 1900s, Klimt focused on landscapes and figure paintings, specifically of women, using flattened planes, colorful mosaic patterns, and gold leaf applications. This course will explore the important themes and brilliant execution of Klimt's work.