Portrait Studies of Two Women

Klimt was one of the leaders of the Vienna Secession, an artists' organization founded in 1897 to promote modern art. He became known for his highly stylized compositions, characterized by curvilinear patterns and rich ornamentation. Even in this pencil study, the decorative appeal of his work is evident in his treatment of the patterns and volume of the women's dresses. Klimt produced hundreds of drawings, many highly erotic, of models in his studio.