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What the painting shows
Baby (Cradle) by Klimt presents an infant peeking out from beneath a towering pile of patterned blankets. The child rests at the very top of the composition, surrounded by white ruffled fabric, with round cheeks, wide eyes, and one small hand raised. A blue headboard or pillow frames the infant from behind against a soft green background.
Below the baby’s head, the bedding billows downward into a broad pyramid of swirling fabrics. Klimt builds this heap out of contrasting patches of color: cobalt blue, rich yellow, soft pink, deep violet, and emerald green. The painted textiles feature wavy lines, zigzags, spiral motifs, and floral patches, while a smooth swath of pale fabric cuts vertically through the center.
The story behind it
Klimt painted the work between 1917 and 1918, during the final period of his career. It is an oil on canvas that measures 110.9 by 110.4 centimeters, creating a nearly square format.
Among the artist’s portraits, this composition stands out for its focus on infancy rather than adult sitters. You can explore how it compares to his other subjects across every Klimt painting documented in museum collections.
Where to see it
You can see Baby (Cradle) at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it belongs to the museum’s permanent collection.
Questions about Baby (Cradle)
When did Klimt paint Baby (Cradle)?
Gustav Klimt painted Baby (Cradle) between 1917 and 1918. The oil painting on canvas dates to the final years of the artist's life. It stands alongside other late portraits and figurative works in his career, measuring 110.9 by 110.4 centimeters.
Where is Baby (Cradle) by Klimt?
Baby (Cradle) by Gustav Klimt is located at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The museum holds the original oil on canvas, which Klimt painted between 1917 and 1918. It forms part of the gallery's permanent collection of modern European art.
