Location and Subject

The painting depicts the village of Cassone, which is located on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy. Klimt executed this work during his visit to the region in 1913.

Composition and Technique

The painting combines lush greenery, houses sloping down towards the lake, and the prominent octagonal church of Cassone, which was constructed in the 17th century. Klimt used an innovative technique, possibly employing an optical aid like a telescope, to capture the scene. The composition features a harmonious blend of natural and architectural elements, with cypresses used as stylistic elements to clarify house corners and create depth. The painting is characterized by its surface-oriented technique, which preserves spatial relationships within a single silhouette, and its use of strongly accented areas of light and shadow.

Style and Influences

The work reflects Klimt's fascination with patterns and decoration, as well as his interest in the radical new aesthetic of the Wiener Werkstätte. The surface patterning in 'Church in Cassone' may have been inspired by folk tapestry and stained glass window techniques popular among German and Austrian artists in the early 20th century.

Provenance

The painting has a well-documented provenance. It was initially acquired by Viktor and Paula Zuckerkandl from the artist by 1914. It later passed through several owners, including Amalie Redlich (née Zuckerkandl), Galerie Welz in Vienna, and private collections in Graz and elsewhere, before being acquired by its current owner through an agreement with the heir of Amalie Redlich and Mathilde Jorisch.

Significance

'Church in Cassone' is one of the finest examples of Klimt's landscape paintings and is the only remaining painting by Klimt depicting Lake Garda and its architecture, as other works like 'Malcesine am Gardasee' have been destroyed.