An entry into the genre of books-about-famous-men-from-the-point-of-view-of-women-in-their-lives.I love Klimt, and the whole arts-and-crafts movement that he was involved with. Oh, can I just say Art Nouveau? "Arts-and-Crafts" sounds like they were sitting around knitting and making macaroni mosaics or something. By coincidence, it was right after reading this that I went to see an exhibit of jewelry from the period at the Forbes Galleries. http://www.forbesgalleries.com/jewelr... SWOON! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.And, yay Wiener Werkstätte! Anyway, after reading this book, I feel like I am much more enthused about the movement than Ms. Hickey is. I'm not really sure why she chose to write this book.I thought it was quite well-written, however I disagreed with her characterizations of her historical characters - especially her main character, Emilie Flöge. In reality, Emilie Flöge was an extremely talented, very intelligent, well-respected and well-to-do woman who was more than capable of making her own life choices. Obviously, we don't know everything about her internal, emotional life, and this is a work of fiction. But Hickey insists on portraying this strong, successful woman as a naive, constantly self-doubting person who is taken advantage of by Gustav Klimt, who abuses her love for him and ruins any chance she had to have a happy life.OK, this is vaguely possible. But, considering the historical facts, not likely. The evidence actually indicates that it is unlikely that Klimt and Flöge were lovers; they were more likely close/best friends. But Hickey seems to think that it is impossible for a man and a woman to simply be friends, and further, she doesn't seem to comprehend that a woman might actually value her independence and have no particular desire to marry, especially in a society where marriage would mean giving up a great deal. Hickey's book seems to give out the message: "Watch out, because if you waste time hanging out with a man who won't commit to you, you will end up sad and lonely and abandoned."Now, it's true enough that Flöge's fortunes did decline in her later years - but I think that, in reality, we can lay that at the feet of Hitler, considering that Flöge was a Jewish woman in Austria during WWII.Hickey also portrays Adele Bloch-Bauer in a very negative light, concentrating on her 'illness' and drawing her as a depressed, physically self-destructive person. Again, in reality, while Bloch-Bauer may have been ill (she had tuberculosis), she was also a strong, opinionated and intelligent woman, who effectively created the life she wanted for herself.In addition, while it is undoubtedly true that Klimt had sex with a great many of his paid models as a matter of course (which was fairly usual, at the time - many artists' models were also prostitutes), Hickey also alleges that Klimt refused to support his acknowledged children financially. It appears that this is untrue, and in reality he did support the children he acknowledged. After his death, many other people did claim to be children of Klimt, but it is unknown whether their claims were true. So - while this was a pleasant-enough read, I wouldn't really recommend it for those interested in learning more about these historical figures and their artistic work.
Recently watched a program on Ovation highlighting the controversy surrounding the rightful possession of Gustav Klimt’s portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer and some of his other works. Wanting to keep the art theme current, I decided to read this book, which chronicles the life of Emilie Flöge, the sister-in-law and long time companion of Gustav Klimt. Historically, no one really knows how deep their relationship went, but during his final illness, he wanted her by his side. It’s also speculated that she was the model for the woman in The Kiss. Basically, this novel offers an interpretation of these facts—of Emilie’s life with Klimt.The best part of the book is the beginning, chronicling Emilie’s childhood. The author paints a rather good impression of a precocious twelve year-old. I rather enjoyed Emilie’s observations of Klimt’s character, silently taking pleasure at his disheveled appearance and his slovenly habits at the dinner table… talking while eating, choking on his wine, watching as bits of food drop off his fork and onto his lap—her way of exacting revenge against the unflattering portrait he’s made of her. :-)However, I didn’t at all like how Emilie’s portrayed as an adult… this woman pining for Klimt’s affections, helplessly in love with him. I found it creepy especially considering how roughly he treats her. It’s one of those situations of “He loves her as he can love.” It seems that Klimt’s affection for her is mostly silent. Emilie tries to look into his art—his portraits of her—as a means to gauge the extent of his feelings towards her, but finds it difficult. She sees him building her up into something she’s not. Yet she loves him anyway. I don’t know…. While it’s an interesting interpretation, I was hoping for more than I got. Personally, I feel that Klimt’s own photos of Emilie show more depth of feeling than the sentiments expressed in the novel.
Do You like book The Painted Kiss (2006)?
As a longtime fan of Gustav Klimt it was a pleasure to see him come to life in this fictional account of his life. Not only him, but his artist friends and Vienna society at the time. Told through the eyes of Emilie Floge, his lover and longtime companion, we meet Klimt when he is a struggling artist and follow his rise to fame. We also encounter his muses, lovers, friends, and at least one of his children. Elizabeth Hickey has studied the period and its players and has done a good job recreating the art scene of the time.Be it doing studies for a painting or arguing about how the art movement was to set in its ways, my favorite scenes described his temperament as an artist. Through imagined conversations and interactions with others who felt the same, we can see Klimt's passion for innovation and Hickey's words allowed me to get caught up in it as well. After reading it, I can't help but to feel saddened that so much of his work is now lost. At the same time, I feel blessed to have seen some of his work in various museums around the world. I'm also happy that I was introduced to Emilie the artist and entrepreneur. Almost a century after she was at the height of her popularity she has a new fan.
—Jeimy
What a strong woman Emilie Floge was-- and what a mysterious, lifelong relationship she had with the great artist Gustav Klimt! I like how author Elizabeth Hickey re-imagines that relationship, which began when she was quite young and lasted through 'til Klimt's demise. I love how Emilie became a hugely successful fashion designer and salon owner in Vienna in a time when not so many women could even think of establishing and running their own business. Of course, as I often do with historical novels, I first skipped to the author's notes to see just how much she might've "rearranged" history in order to allow for a smoother story line- and several times I just had to pull out the ipad (which sits next to my most comfortable reading chair) to Google both Klimt and Floge for details. I even opened my Art Authority app to check out its extensive gallery of paintings by the artist (love to learn re visual route too). All in all, I enjoyed how Hickey tells the story. In truth, it seems no one is entirely sure that how "physical" the love was between these two, but love certainly existed. And Klimt does seem to have relied on her as a muse and mentor both, and vice versa. This story captures the mystery, gives it body and soul. For me, it was believable, even in its fictional form. I admired Emilie even as frustrated as I could become reading about what seemed like a hopeless situation. They lived in difficult times, and Klimt was not an easy personage with whom to maintain any relationship (probably the epitome of the difficult artist personality) Plenty of conflict. I had never heard of Floge before picking up this book (purchased a few years ago, I believe, at The Clark museum), and I knew little about Klimt's life. I certainly did not realize how close his art came to utter extinction during the Second World War. I just loved his painting, The Kiss, and it's what drew me into reading this book (although the cover illustration is not of that painting but of a portrait of a woman, most likely Emilie, who is wears a "Kiss-like" ensemble). I'm glad it did.
—Marilyn
Ew gross. I might have to make a new bookshelf just for 'The Painted Kiss' for NEVER to read EVER again because of how explicit it was. And WHY did I have to read this for AP English language???The story follows Emilie Floge's relationship with painter Gustav Klimt, and his disgusting treatment of all women. Klimt strung multiple women on to fulfill his sexual addiction, AND SHE DESCRIBED HIS MULTIPLE ENCOUNTERS XP MY INNOCENCE!!! Somehow Emilie was in love with Klimt and remained in love with him with no sign of commitment or reciprocation (besides the occasional sexual encounter). The only reason I didn't give it a one star was because the writing quality was very good, and the story was interesting. JUST TOO EXPLICIT.Finally, the conversation from the story that sums 'The Painted Kiss' up best would have to be this:Emilie: "Do you have any children?"Gustav: "Yes."Emilie: "How many?"Gustav: "Three that I know of."Emilie: "Who was the mother?"Gustav: "Mothers. Plural."And there we have it!
—Emily Crowell
