Select the painting to see it full screen and zoom in.
What the painting shows
Allegory of Sacred Music by Klimt presents an oval scene set against a brown painted border. On the left side of the composition, a woman in a dark teal gown kneels before a small pipe organ. Her hands touch the keyboard while her gaze tilts upward toward the light. White floral blossoms rest near the base of the organ.
A luminous figure in a floating white dress drifts diagonally across the upper center. Further to the right, faint winged figures emerge from a field of warm golden brushwork. Klimt used swift, open brushstrokes across the ochre background, balancing the dark drapery of the organist with the bright tones of the airborne muse.
The story behind it
Klimt completed this oil on canvas in 1885, placing it among his notable early works. The composition carries several alternative German titles in historical records, such as Female Organ Player, Orgelspielerin, and Entwurf für die Allegorie der Musik.
Measuring 38.5 by 50 centimeters, the piece belongs to Klimt’s classical allegories. It demonstrates his early academic training, interpreting sacred harmony through traditional symbols: an organ, floral accents, and an airborne celestial presence.
Where to see it
The original canvas is held in the collection of the Belvedere in Vienna, Austria.
Questions about Allegory of Sacred Music
Where is Allegory of Sacred Music by Klimt?
Allegory of Sacred Music by Klimt is located in the Belvedere museum in Vienna, Austria. The Austrian gallery holds the 1885 oil sketch in its permanent art collection alongside other historical works from the artist's academic career. Visitors in Vienna can view the piece among the museum's holdings.
When did Klimt paint Allegory of Sacred Music?
Gustav Klimt painted Allegory of Sacred Music in 1885 during the early phase of his artistic career. The small oil painting on canvas was created as an allegorical study of music and is also known under titles such as Female Organ Player and Orgelspielerin. It represents his early academic style.
