Gustav Klimt’s painting “The Kiss” is not only the most famous work of the Viennese Art Nouveau painter, but also one of the most popular paintings in art history. In this work, Klimt knew how to depict the theme of the loving embrace of man and woman in a way that touches directly and emotionally. One reason for the special charisma of this depiction is certainly also the effect of the gold leaf, which Klimt used so richly and in a highly original way in this work. The painting was purchased by the Austrian state directly from Klimt before its final completion and has since been in the possession of the Belvedere in Vienna. Until the museum was closed for several months due to the Corona pandemic, the painting was admired, even besieged, by thousands of museum visitors every day. Since the reopening of the Belvedere, “The Kiss” has once again proved to be a crowd-puller.
Credit: vog.photo
Credit: vog.photo
Credit: vog.photo
Credit: vog.photo
Credit: vog.photo
Credit: vog.photo
Using the Art Camera technology developed by Google Arts & Culture, it is possible to experience and enjoy Klimt’s painting up close and personal in gigapixel resolution. The complex digitalisation creates an intensification of the image details, which is absolutely competitive to the impression of the original.
At the presentation initiated by Ars Electronica, Marzia Niccolai of Google Arts & Culture explains the technology of the Art Camera and its application in collaboration with museums worldwide. Belvedere curator Franz Smola, responsible for the scientific expertise and supervision of the project, will also explain the art historical aspects of Klimt’s painting “The Kiss”. Finally, Florian Waitzbauer, responsible for the division of Digitales Belvedere, reports on the cooperation between Google Arts & Culture and Belvedere.
Visiting the Deep Space presentations is only possible with a pre-booked ticket. Tickets are available at the Ars Electronica Center’s infodesk and can only be booked for the respective time slot of the museum visit ticket.
