Opulently gilded and extravagantly patterned, The Kiss, Gustav Klimt’s fin-de-siècle portrayal of intimacy, is a mix of Symbolism and Vienna Jugendstil, the Austrian variant of Art Nouveau.
Klimt depicts his subjects as mythical figures made modern by luxuriant surfaces of up-to-the moment graphic motifs. The work is a highpoint of the artist’s Golden Phase between 1899 and 1910 when he often used gold leaf—a technique inspired by a 1903 trip to the Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, where he saw the church’s famed Byzantine mosaics.
Rome is a city where ancient wonders and everyday life exist side by side. From the iconic Colosseum and the timeless Pantheon to the vibrant streets of Trastevere and the grandeur of Vatican City, these 10 must-visit places capture the essence of the Eternal City and reveal why Rome continues to enchant travelers from around the world.
