Gustav Klimt is perhaps the most remarkable artist to have emerged from fin-de-siecle Vienna. First President of the Vienna Secession influenced by Symbolism and Art Nouveau, he developed a controversial personal style emphasizing decorative form and flat pattern, and conveying a powerful yet mysterious sexuality. Christian Nebehay, a leading Klimt scholar who knew the artist personally, places the artist in the context of his society. The best of his abundant sketches and the paintings which they preceded are brought together in this volume, juxtaposed to allow comparison. Newspapers and contemporary photographs, as well as new sources, provide additional information. Klimt exercised a critical influence on art at the turn of the century, both in himself and through his pupils Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Based on the latest research, this is a presentation of his paintings, his sketches, and of the extraordinary milieu which fostered his gift.