Do you know of the famous Austrian artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918)?
His painting, The Kiss, is recognizable to most people. Honestly, I was never a fan of his based on that painting alone. I often get turned off by artists who sexualize women in art. I'm not soapboxing here. Everything in art is fine; it just wasn't for me, you know? So Klimt would never have appeared on my favorite artist's lists before, but that changed when I saw some of his landscape paintings.
When the subject isn't a portrait of a beautiful woman, I'm able see so much more in his paintings. I see his ambitious impressionist color usage, intricate patterns that take on a mosaic feel, and variations between the real and abstract. Some areas of his paintings will appear 2D flat while other areas draw your attention by being intensely defined. The effect is an abstracted look at a nature and I'm obsessed.
It's important to note that I'm basing my newfound adoration on viewing his art on my computer screen. These paintings are much bigger in real life, and I'm sure the scale and texture adds yet another element to appreciating his work.
So if you haven't already, take a minute to dive deep on Gustav Klimt.
Sources:
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/klimts-landscapes/
