Music - Gustav Klimt

A symbolic depiction of a woman playing a lyre, painted by Gustav Klimt in 1895. This work features the artist's early use of gold tones and flat, decorative motifs.

Music, painted by Gustav Klimt in 1895, represents an early stage in the artist's transition toward the decorative style that would define his later career. The composition features a woman in a dark dress, positioned in profile, as she plays a large, stylised lyre. The instrument is rendered in a flat, bright yellow, contrasting with the muted, textured blues of the background. To the right, a sculpted sphinx head provides a classical reference, grounding the scene in an allegorical context.

Klimt was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, a group that sought to break away from the conservative traditions of the Viennese Academy. In this work, the influence of Symbolism is evident. The figure is not merely a musician but a vessel for an abstract concept. The background contains circular, gold-leaf-like motifs, which foreshadow the extensive use of gold that would characterise his later works, such as the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. The application of paint is varied, with the dark dress showing a softer, more atmospheric treatment compared to the rigid, geometric form of the lyre.

This painting was commissioned for the music room of Nikolaus Dumba, a prominent patron of the arts in Vienna. The inclusion of the sphinx and the lyre suggests a classical theme, yet the execution remains distinctly modern for the period. The work avoids traditional perspective, opting instead for a shallow, stage-like space that pushes the subject toward the viewer. By focusing on the act of performance, Klimt captures a moment of quiet concentration. The contrast between the dark, sombre figure and the luminous, golden instrument creates a visual tension that draws the eye across the canvas. It remains a significant example of Klimt's early exploration of allegory and decorative form.