Gustav Klimt

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"The Three Ages of Woman," artist, Gustave Klimt, created 1905.

Location: Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome, Italy


"The Three Ages of Woman," painted by
   the noted symbolist named Gustav Klimt;
from Austria, late-nineteenth century
   till early twentieth, he left his mark.

At center, woman with her child held close;
   his view of motherhood, fertility,
so goddess-like, entwined in sheer chiffon.
   Flushed cheeks, gold hair, and alabaster skin;
this paradigm of procreation, youth,
   portrays his essence of a woman's worth. 

But, on the left, with buried face, there stands
   his sad, old woman, posed in deep despair,
with saggy flesh, frail bones, and bulging veins;
   now stripped of womanhood, alone, forlorn.
Skin, drab and mottled with her loss of youth;
   in darker hues, he paints his disesteem.

Unfair, demeaning, is this image shown
   that only honors women in their youth;
that casts the old as ugly, worthless souls.
   And absent is the brilliant age that thrives,
through golden years of full maturity
   between prime youth and definite old age.

Known as a womanizer, Gustav Klimt,
   who many times diminished them in art,
illicitly had sired some fourteen young
   with models who had often posed for him.

November 26, 2017

Premiere Contest: Klimt
Sponsor: Anthony Slausen
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"Over the years, “The Three Ages of Woman”, a remarkable painting, has ignited much controversy amongst women who view the artwork as lacking in appropriate symbolism to the enduring strength of women. Many feminists believe that the painting’s subtle message is that a woman’s most significant role in life occurs when she is a young mother." 

Ref: http://www.aaronartprints.org/klimt-thethreeagesofwoman.php        
       https://www.austria.info/uk/things-to-do/cities-and-culture/gustav-klimt/women

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