Gustav Klimt - Philosophy

[joshuar]

“If you can’t please everyone with your deeds and art, please just a few.”

I thought this was interesting. At the end of the 19th century, the University of Vienna commissioned Gustav Klimt to create a painting depicting the field of philosophy. The painting, seen above in its complete form, created such outrage that 20 professors petitioned to have it removed. For a society that was seeking some greater order in any field, Gustav’s painting was certainly not a celebration of certainty or reason. An indication that old order was out and new, unknown age was dawning.

[brockbox]

Was this piece in color originally? or just black and white? I think his idea of philosophy is a mixture of psychology and religion. Beginning the turn of the century with a piece like this almost foreshadows what the world would eventually turn to for answers. No one cares about the philosopher anymore. It's all about your local pharmacists or priest with very little in between. "Philosophy" has a pagan nature to it as well. He seems to be shredding the human race down to its bare natural states, full of fear, shame, lust, and hope all at the same time. ;)