Creation and Context

The painting was created between 1917 and 1918, during Klimt's late creative period. It remained unfinished when Klimt died in February 1918 due to complications from pneumonia.

Composition and Style

The Bride is characterized by its dense and complex composition, featuring multiple figures, including six women, a sleeping baby, and a man in an orange garment with a monastic hairstyle. The central figure is the bride, depicted with an oval face, closed eyes, and long plaits, submerged in an abstract blue silhouette of an unfinished dress. The painting shows early Expressionist and oriental influences, typical of Klimt's later work, which often incorporated elements from Byzantine mosaics, Celtic design, and Oriental textiles and ceramics.

Unfinished State

The right half of the painting is dominated by a semi-naked female figure with her knees bent and legs splayed, exposing a detailed pubic area. Klimt had begun to paint an overlay of suggestive and symbolic ornamental shapes over this area. The painting reveals Klimt's working method, where he worked directly on a bare canvas without underpaint, often completing faces before surrounding sections.

Significance and Interpretation

The Bride is notable for its celebratory depiction of sex, lacking the dark and menacing qualities present in much of Klimt's earlier work. This shift may reflect his changing attitudes or a reaction to the horrors of World War I. The painting also highlights Klimt's fascination with the female form and his ability to make his subjects look glamorous while incorporating luxuriant decoration filled with meaning.

Ownership and Legacy

After Klimt's death, the painting was first owned by Emilie Flöge, a close friend and confidante of the artist. It is now part of a collection that showcases Klimt's unfinished works, providing insights into his creative process.