The artwork “Portrait of a Lady (unfinished)” is an exquisite example of Gustav Klimt’s craft, created during the years 1917 to 1918. This portrait, executed with pen, ink, and watercolor on paper, adheres to the Symbolism art movement. The piece measures 67 by 56 centimeters and falls within the genre of portraiture. It is housed at the Neue Galerie des Stadt Linz, also known as the Wolfgang-Gurlitt-Museum, in Linz, Austria.
The artwork presents a female figure, whose face is the primary focus of the composition, exhibiting Klimt’s distinctive style of portraiture. Her features are rendered with a combination of fine lines and delicate watercolor washes, highlighting the artist’s ability to capture the essence of the subject with minimalistic yet effective strokes. Although the portrait remains unfinished, one can observe Klimt’s meticulous attention to the lady’s captivating eyes and lips, which are colored with tones of blue and red, imparting a sense of life and vibrancy to the composition. The use of incomplete lines and a predominantly uncolored background conveys a sense of potential, inviting viewers to ponder what the final piece might have looked like had the artist completed it. The unfinished state of the portrait, combined with Klimt’s fascination with Symbolism, adds an air of mystery and leaves much to the imagination regarding the identity and story behind the enigmatic lady.
