Gustav Klimt's Beethoven Frieze (1902) is the supreme monument of Viennese Modernism—a work as significant and revolutionary as Picasso's Demoiselles, Matisse's Dance, and Duchamps's Readymades. Is it is among the most visited tourist destinations in Vienna. In his largest and most ambitious work, Klimt launched his famous motif of the Kiss and his signature color: gold. Four interdisciplinary essays by renowned scholars explore the enduring relevance and cultural-historical context of Klimt's large-scale wall cycle, as well as its conservation and history. This new publication will be the definitive book on Klimt's Beethoven Frieze.

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was one of the most important representatives of the Viennese Art Nouveau movement. He was a co-founder of the Vienna Secession and served as its first president from 1897 to 1899. He became famous for his ornamental style, characterized by decorative patterns and the use of gold leaf. Along with the Beethoven Frieze, works such as the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1903-07) and The Kiss (1907-08) remain among his most celebrated paintings today.