Adam And Eve 1916

Gustav Klimt made this painting of Adam and Eve with oil on canvas. Klimt is really going for it here! Imagine him building up the surface, layering those cool blues and creams, and adding touches of pattern. He must have had a blast juxtaposing these two figures with a field of leopard print and bunches of flowers at their feet. You can see the influence of other painters in the way Klimt applied paint to canvas. Eve is reminiscent of a classical nude. But, by rendering her flesh in a strange range of colors, it becomes clear that he is doing something entirely unique. It’s like he’s saying, “I’m part of this conversation, but I’m also doing my own thing." Painters are always looking at each other’s work, riffing off ideas, challenging each other. That's the beauty of art. It’s an ongoing dialogue.