Gustav Klimt images have unprecedented force and originality. His dreamlike, delicately detailed compositions seem full of light, a symphony of dazzling golds, fiery reds and oranges, flashing purples and blues, and antique coppery greens. And, most beautiful are his pictures of women, among the most tender and aesthetically pleasing works in all art history. From his very first paintings, Klimt dedicated himself to capturing the female form, and the masterpieces highlighted here include the Grecian-influenced Fable and Idylle; the gentle Pregnant Woman with Man, with the two naked title characters sweetly contemplating her rounded belly; a detail from the Beethoven Frieze; and his most famous creation, the magnificent Kiss. An essay provides invaluable background on Klimt's training, influences, and contemporary reception--and the striking, shimmering cover is in pure gold.