Death and Life
Gustav Klimt · 1910
Why it's great
A skeleton in a dark robe stands beside a heap of people of all ages, wrapped up in dazzling, colorful patterns. Klimt painted the circle of life, with Death and the living side by side. It won a prize in Rome and Klimt later repainted it. It's a thoughtful picture about life's cycle.
Where to see it
📍 Leopold MuseumVienna, Austria
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Gustav Klimt was born near Vienna, Austria, the son of a gold engraver, which may be why gold glitters in so many of his paintings. He lived his entire life in and around Vienna and co-founded the Vienna Secession, a group of artists who broke from tradition. He painted beautiful portraits, murals, and landscapes. He died in 1918 at age 55 after a stroke.
