Ownership of gold has been highly desired throughout the ages by Kings, noblemen, ordinary peoples, various religions and most old and new world cultures.  Gold is long established as a sign of affluence, stability and a benchmark for commercial trade.

It’s a representative emblem for the ultimate achievement in Olympic sport.

Kingdoms have fought bloody wars and conquered lands for the want of it as spoil.  Ships made from wood sailing across thousands of years of ocean have loaded up its sheer weightiness. Entire countries have been changed forever as a result of its influence.  True to this day.

The “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” by Gustav Klimt, an Austrian painter born on 14th July 1862 is easily one of the most breathtaking golden paintings our eyes can feast upon, here:

Had I myself asked this Lady to sit for me whilst photographing her I would rightly be proud of her pose and aristocratic expression.  The painting has an extraordinary realist quality especially when we consider that pale complexions amongst ladies were the height of fashion and beauty of their day.

Surrounding her is a symphony of gold with complex patterns adorning her gold dress and background details. Squares, swirls, rectangles, semi-circles, Egyptian style eye designs and triangular embroidery across her chest.  We are seeing a very wealthy woman.  This particular painting is composed of a dignified and formal manner to add to its importance.  Few would argue against this being a glorious display of financial significance.  Indeed the artist is himself trading upon a shrewd and savvy brilliance.

I understand that Klimt took three years to complete this portrait.  The canvas is 54 inches by 54 inches and therefore fairly large compared with some of the individual portrait dimensions we can see in Museums and Art Galleries.  The Mona Lisa is 30 inches by 21 inches as an example of one likewise famous reference point.  Of course, there are artists who have almost exclusively specialized in large canvas sizes – excluding artworks within chapels, cathedrals and churches for this moment.

All the signs that “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” is a true masterpiece of art commanding its high commercial value is testament for us to see and read.  World renowned artist, historical relevance, artistic quality and exemplary conceptual expertise.

“Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” can be viewed at Neue Galerie, New York specialising in the very best German and Austrian Art.