Hope II was painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907.

Where can I see Hope II?

Hope II is held by Museum of Modern Art.

Can I buy a print of Hope II?

Museum-quality prints of Hope II are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hope II

Gustav Klimt , 1907

Hope II is an unspecified painting by Gustav Klimt. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Created between 1907 and 1908, this oil painting on canvas incorporates gold and platinum leaf.

About this work

This was the second painting where he focused on pregnancy, after an earlier work called Hope I.

Hope II is a painting by Gustav Klimt, made in 1907. The work’s medium is not listed, but it is known as an oil‑on‑canvas with gold and platinum.

It shows a pregnant woman with closed eyes, one of Klimt’s favourite models Herma. This was the second painting where he focused on pregnancy, after an earlier work called Hope I. The piece was first called Vision and entered the Museum of Modern Art in 1978.

You can explore more at the Museum of Modern Art.

Overview

Created between 1907 and 1908, this oil painting on canvas incorporates gold and platinum leaf. The work portrays a pregnant woman with her eyes gently shut, embodying a quiet, introspective moment. It belongs to the later phase of Gustav Klimt’s career, when he explored themes of fertility and femininity through richly ornamented surfaces.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is modeled after Herma, a frequent sitter of Klimt’s, and represents a contemplative state of anticipation. The closed eyes and serene expression suggest an inner vision or spiritual expectation, aligning with the title’s reference to hope and the notion of awaiting new life.

Technique & Style

Klimt combines traditional oil paint with metallic pigments, applying gold and platinum to create a luminous, decorative field that frames the figure. The composition balances realistic flesh tones with abstracted, patterned backgrounds, reflecting his Symbolist inclination toward merging figuration with ornamental abstraction.

History & Provenance

Originally titled "Vision," the painting was later renamed to differentiate it from an earlier work on the same theme, now known as Hope I. In 1978 the piece entered the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s early‑20th‑century European holdings.