After tea it's back to painting - a large poplar at dusk with a gathering storm. From time to time instead of this evening painting session I go bowling in one of the neighbouring villages, but not very often.
Gustav Klimt

All art is erotic.
Gustav Klimt

Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late - thoughts both about and not about art.
Gustav Klimt

Even when I have to write a simple letter I'm scared stiff as if faced with looming seasickness.
Gustav Klimt

I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I'm not certain of whether it's true.
Gustav Klimt

If the weather is good I go into the nearby wood - there I am painting a small beech forest (in the sun) with a few conifers mixed in. This takes until 8 'o clock.
Gustav Klimt

On my first days here I did not start work immediately but, as planned, I took it easy for a few days - flicked through books, studied Japanese art a little.
Gustav Klimt

Sometimes I miss out the morning's painting session and instead study my Japanese books in the open.
Gustav Klimt

There is no self-portrait of me.
Gustav Klimt

There is nothing that special to see when looking at me. I'm a painter who paints day in day out, from morning till evening - figure pictures and landscapes, more rarely portraits.
Gustav Klimt


True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.
Gustav Klimt

Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist which alone is significant - they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognise what I am and what I want.
Gustav Klimt