This black-and-white print is a reproduction of one of Gustav Klimt's iconic pieces, showcasing his distinctive artistic style. The composition adheres to the classic full-figure portrait formula, positioning the model elegantly in a static seated pose, almost at the center of the surface. There's a deliberate asymmetry in the composition, with slightly more space on the side where the model's body faces. The model engages the viewer with a direct gaze, adding a sense of connection. The surface of the artwork is adorned with decorative elements characteristic of Klimt's unique style.

Despite the absence of Klimt's characteristic bright colors, the black-and-white print allows viewers to appreciate the harmony of values (light and dark tones). Notably, the model's dress creates a diagonal division within the composition, separating it into two nearly equal sections—one with lighter hues and the other with darker tones in the background.

Details:
Artist: Gustav Klimt (After)
Title: Bildnis der Frau Frissa Riedler
Date: 1920
Medium: Offset lithograph on card stock-backed paper
Edition: 137 from the rare limited edition of 500
Publisher: Osterreichische Staatsdruckerei
Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.5 inches
Condition Report: The artwork is in overall good condition.

About the artist:
Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862, Vienna, Austria – February 6, 1918, Vienna) was an Austrian painter renowned for founding the school of painting known as the Vienna Secession. He began his artistic journey by studying at the Vienna School of Decorative Arts, and in 1883, he established an independent studio specializing in mural paintings.

Klimt's early work embraced a classical style typical of late 19th-century academic painting, which is evident in his murals for the Vienna Burgtheater (1888) and the staircase of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. However, in 1897, he transitioned to his mature style and founded the Vienna Secession—a group of painters advocating for a highly decorative style akin to Art Nouveau.

One of Klimt's notable works includes "The Kiss" (1908–09), as well as a series of portraits of fashionable Viennese figures, such as "Fritza Riedler" (1906) and "Adele Bloch-Bauer I" (1907). In these pieces, Klimt treated the human figure without shadows and enhanced the sensuality of the skin by surrounding it with flat, highly ornamental, and brilliantly composed areas of decoration.

Klimt's artistic legacy continued through the years, and his works gained international recognition. Notably, "Adele Bloch-Bauer I" and other Klimt paintings were seized by the Nazis during World War II but were eventually returned to the family in 2006. "Adele Bloch-Bauer I" was subsequently sold to the Neue Galerie in New York City for a then-record price of $135 million later that year.