Half nude with raised arms
1917-1918
Gustav Klimt created this intimate sketch just before his death in 1918, capturing the female form in a raw, unguarded state of repose. The faint 'Nachlass' stamp in the bottom right corner tells a fascinating story: it means 'estate,' indicating this drawing was part of his private collection, likely kept hidden from the public during his lifetime. With just a few swift, confident lines, Klimt conveys a sense of vulnerable ecstasy that defined his later, highly controversial erotic drawings, stripping away the ornate gold leaf of his famous paintings to reveal pure, emotional line work.
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