Artwork
Study for the figure of Hygieia
Study for the figure of Hygieia is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Gustav Klimt. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1898 drawing by Gustav Klimt is a preparatory study for the figure of Hygieia in his later work *Medicine*, intended for the University of Vienna's Great Hall ceiling. The sketch captures a female figure in a dynamic, sidelong pose.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman, identified as Hygieia, standing with her body angled away, conveying a sense of potential movement. Her attire consists of a long, flowing dress with soft, curved folds, and her hair is pulled back, emphasizing the natural flow of her form.
Technique & Style
Executed in loose, expressive pencil strokes, the drawing conveys a sense of vitality. Klimt's focus on the interplay of fabric and body is evident in the overlapping, curved lines, while subtle cross-hatching techniques suggest depth and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created in 1898 as a study for *Medicine*, this drawing is part of Klimt's preparatory process for the University of Vienna's Great Hall project, reflecting his artistic development during this period.
Context
This study sits within Klimt's broader work on allegorical pieces for public institutions, characteristic of his contribution to the Vienna Secession movement, which emphasized modernity and symbolic expression.
Legacy
As a precursor to *Medicine*, this drawing offers insight into Klimt's creative process and his exploration of the female form, influencing subsequent interpretations of Hygieia in his completed work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gustav Klimt was an Austrian symbolist painter and a founding member of the Vienna Secession movement.
