Cows in the barn 1901

Gustav Klimt painted these cows in a barn, probably at the start of the 20th century, using oil paint. You can see Klimt's process in the way the brushstrokes build up a rich, textured surface. The painting is all about earthy browns and muted whites, which gives the whole scene a cozy, dim feeling, like you're really there in the barn with the cows. The paint looks kind of thick and juicy in some spots, especially where the light hits the hay, but it's also blended softly to give a sense of depth. Look how he's dabbed and swirled the paint to make the hay look all tangled and messy! It's like Klimt wasn't trying to make a perfect picture but wanted to show you how it feels to be in this place. It reminds me a bit of Courbet, who also had a knack for turning everyday life into something epic. What Klimt is doing here is more suggestive than certain, which is what makes it so interesting.