"Klimt's artistic vision pushed the boundaries of art at the turn of the last century. His unparalleled ability to merge the decorative arts with painting led him to create brilliant and glittering works studded with jewel-like motifs; and his richly patterned landscapes and portrayals of embracing figures and elegant women are among the most spellbinding images in the history of art" "Gathered here are essays by eminent scholars Colin B. Bailey, Marian Bisanz-Prakken, Emily Braun, Jane Kallir, and Peter Vergo that explore the extent and context of the artist's oeuvre. The full-color plates are illuminated by individual commentaries and accompanied by black-and-white comparative illustrations. In addition, an illustrated chronology traces Klimt's life and the milieu in which he worked." "With nearly two hundred color plates of Klimt's most popular images, as well as rarely published drawings and period photographs, this lavish book, which accompanies a major exhibition organized by the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, pays tribute to the unique style of this artist, one of the most important and revolutionary figures of the late nineteenth century."--Jacket.