Life is a Struggle by Gustav Klimt (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Life is a Struggle by Gustav Klimt
Life is a Struggle
Source: gustav-klimt.com
Today I want to talk about a painting by one of my favorite artists: Gustav Klimt. Klimt was an Austrian artist working in the 19th and early 20th centuries. His style is extremely distinctive and draws inspiration from many different artistic movements and styles. I’d venture to guess that even art historians would have a difficult time classifying his work: it is simply Klimt-esque.

Although almost everybody living in the Western world has seen his most famous painting — the Kiss — today I want to talk about one of his lesser known pieces: Life is a Struggle.

Many of Klimt’s paintings were allegorical, and Life is a Struggle is no different. The painting depicts a golden knight, presumably setting off to do battle with the world. It dates from Klimt’s famous golden phase, which — based on my research — was inspired by his trip to the Italian city of Ravenna, which is famous for its golden mosaics. As the title suggests, the theme of the painting is universal, a manifestation of the pain and difficulty that touches all human lives.

Like much of Klimt’s work, Life is a Struggle is a mix of past and present, creating a piece that feels timeless and transcendent. Here, the form of the golden knight — which obviously draws on Medieval motifs — is juxtaposed with Klimt’s Art Nouveau-esque style. The clash of these two elements creates a sense of tension within the painting that engages the viewer’s attention.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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