The Three Ages of Life, a masterpiece by Gustav Klimt in Perugia
Until September 15, 2024, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria in Perugia is hosting one of Klimt’s greatest masterpieces, “The Three Ages of Woman”, an exceptional loan from the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome.
The Galleria Nazionale dell’ Umbria is located in the Palazzo dei Priori on Corso Vanucci. This building also houses Perugia’s city hall. The museum houses beautiful works of art, almost all by Umbrian artists such as Piero della Francesca, Pinturicchio, and Perugino.
The Klimt exhibition
The Klimt exhibition, which can be visited until September 15, 2024, is the beginning of the exhibition cycle ‘A Masterpiece in Perugia’. The exhibition is inspired by the Art Show, an exhibition organized by Klimt in 1908 with Josef Hoffmann to show the world two works that would later become iconic, The Kiss and The Three Ages of Woman.
The exhibition consists of three different parts allowing the public to fully immerse themselves in Klimt’s artistic world.
The virtual exhibition
First, there is a virtual space dedicated to the themes to which the artist dedicates his paintings, with special attention to the history of the genesis of the exhibited work. This engaging experience gives visitors a deeper insight into the context and inspiration behind The Three Ages of Life.
Klimt in Italy
Then you will be introduced to the Italian exhibitions in which Klimt played a leading role, with special attention to the figure of Galileo Chini, known as the Italian Klimt. The focus on Chini emphasizes the artistic influences and connections between the two masters.
In 1910, Klimt had an entire pavilion at the Venice Biennale, exhibiting 22 works including The Kiss and The Three Ages of Life. It was here that the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome purchased the work for just €7.50.
The Three Ages of Life from Klimt
The third and final room of the exhibition is entirely dedicated to the masterpiece The Three Ages of Life. The 1905 oil painting “The Three Ages of the Woman” is a story that illustrates the cycle of life from birth to death. We see three women: a child (innocence), an adult (challenges and triumphs of life), and an elderly woman (wisdom). The elderly woman stands next to a pregnant woman, who in turn holds a sleeping baby. Each lady in the painting tells a different life story and shows the relentless passing of time.
The gold leaf, a hallmark of his Golden Phase, is not merely decorative; luminous gold serves as a metaphor for the preciousness of life, casting a timeless glamour over the entire composition.
Today, The Three Ages of Woman is a testament to Klimt’s genius. Its appeal lies in its visual brilliance and in its ability to deeply touch the viewer. Its timeless themes of life, love, and mortality continue to captivate audiences, transcending the boundaries of time and culture.
Practical information
The Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria is open daily from 8:30 to 19:30.
On August 29, September 5, and 14, 2024, the museum will be open until 23:30.
Website: https://gallerianazionaledellumbria.it/
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