Gustav Klimt’s Famous Paintings Get Recreated with Live Models

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Using live models, elaborate props, and lots of gold, Austrian photographer Inge Prader paid homage to her compatriot, Gustav Klimt, with incredible photographic recreations of his famous paintings. The marvelous tableaus incorporate all the rich Art Nouveau symbolism we come to expect with Klimt, but the addition of model makes the work fresh.

Some of Klimt's most iconic work, like Death and Life and the epic, 112-foot-long Beethoven Frieze have been recreated in all their sumptuous detail. The seductive, erotic nature of the Austrian painter's work come through clearly as the models often intertwine their nude bodies. Warm gold hues, which were inspired by Klimt's visit to the early Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna, pervade the imagery, as characterized this era of the artist's work.

The series was shot as part of the Life Ball, an annual event in Vienna that raises funds for HIV/AIDS. In 2015, as part of the Secessionist theme for the event, Prader was asked to shoot images inspired by the Golden Phase of Klimt's oeuvre. This period in his career lasted from 1899 to 1910, with the most well-known painting being The Kiss. Prader expertly brings the two-dimensional works to life with her vivid recreations of the artwork, reminding us of Klimt's greatness.

Photographer Inge Prader has re-created Gustav Klimt's famous paintings from his Golden Phase.

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Beethoven Frieze”

gustav klimt beethoven frieze

Gustav Klimt. Detail of “Beethoven Frieze.”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Death and Life.”

gustav klimt death and life

Gustav Klimt. “Death and Life.”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Danae”

gustav klimt danae

Gustav Klimt. “Danae”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Beethoven Frieze”

gustav klimt beethoven frieze

Gustav Klimt. Detail of “Beethoven Frieze.”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Medicine.”

gustav klimt paintings hygeia

Gustav Klimt. Detail of “Medicine.”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Beethoven Frieze.”

gustav klimt beethoven frieze

Gustav Klimt. Detail of “Beethoven Frieze.”

Prader's elaborate photographs capture all the rich Art Nouveau symbolism—and golden hues—of the original Klimt paintings.

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “Beethoven Frieze”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “The Beethoven Frieze.”

Gustav Klimt Recreations by Inge Prader

Recreation of “The Beethoven Frieze.”

Inge Prader: Website | FacebookInstagram
h/t: [Open Culture, designboom]

All images via Inge Prader for Life Ball.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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