Beyond the artwork

On 21 August and 11 September 2023, step into the artworks of Gustav Klimt like never before through captivating evening lectures by Vrije Academie.

One of the major figures of the 19th century Viennese art scene, Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) played a pioneering role in the Vienna Secession, a movement that sought to break away from academic art. The artist developed an iconic and recognizable style, incorporating swirling shapes, gold leaf and strong decorative elements in his work. What did Klimt want to tell the viewer with his paintings? Why did he choose to use gold? What is the meaning behind “The Kiss” or “The Tree of Life”?

Together with Vrije Academie, the leading educational institute for art and culture in the Netherlands, we invite you to embark on a journey through Gustav Klimt’s life and work. These lecture series are designed to give you insights about the artist’s process and shed light on the profound symbolism within his creations.

After the lecture given by Patricia Huisman, the exhibition “Gustav Klimt, Gold in Motion” will be displayed. Immerse yourself in the artist’s colourful and luminous work and experience the exhibition with a now deepened understanding of the artist’s creations!

About Vrije Academie

The largest national educational institute for art & culture since 1990, Vrije Academie makes cultural knowledge accessible to the widest possible audience. With a large team of professional speakers, Vrije Academie’s mission is to make it possible to get acquainted with art & culture in a thorough, pleasant way. From the head office in Amsterdam, an up-to-date, broad and original educational offer is provided daily in more than fifty places in the Netherlands.

Want to know more about Vrije Academie? Click here.

(Re)discover the exhibition

Go on a journey through one hundred years of Viennese art! The immersive exhibition “Gustav Klimt, Gold in Motion” takes an original look at the works of Klimt and his successors through a presentation of the portraits, landscapes, nudes and colours. It invites visitors to dive into Klimt’s masterpieces like never before.

Are you curious about the exhibition? Learn more here.