The presented work is one of the preparatory studies for the first version of the allegorical painting “Death and Life” (Tod und Leben), which was first shown to the public at the international art exhibition in Rome in 1911 under the title “Fear of Death,” winning the honorary 1st prize.  “Death and Life” by Klimt is a work dating back to the artist’s late period and marking the pinnacle of his creative genius. The result of reflections on the key philosophical theme for Klimt about the cyclical nature of life, the natural flow of time, the beauty of youth and the inevitability of the end. This work will be included in the forthcoming supplement to the Klimt Catalogue raisonné being prepared by Dr Marian Bisanz-Prakken.

Provenance:

Estate of the artist

Gustav Ucicky- son of Gustav Klimt, Vienna

Private collection (sold: Christie's, New York, 2008)

Private collection (sold: Sotheby's, Paris, 2018)