Danaë (Klimt painting)
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Danaë is an oil painting by Gustav Klimt, created in 1907. The canvas measures 77 x 83 cm, is cataloged as Symbolism; and is currently housed within the Galerie Würthle, in Vienna, Austria. Danaë was a popular subject in the early 1900’s for many artists; she was used as the quintessential symbol of divine love, and transcendence. While imprisoned by her father, King of Argos in a tower of bronze, she was visited by Zeus, symbolized here as the golden rain flowing between her legs, apparent from the subject's face, she is very aroused by the golden stream. she is curled in a sumptuous royal purple veil which refers to her imperial lineage. Sometime after her celestial visitation she gave birth to a son, Perseus, who is cited later in Greek mythology for slaying the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing Andromeda. Many other early portrayals of Danaë were often erotic; other paintings completed in similar style are Klimt’s Hygeia (1900- 1907), and Water Snakes (1904 – 1907). (Payne, Laura. Klimt. Bath, UK: Parragon Publishing, 2004).
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