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What the painting shows
Girl Seated in a Chair by Klimt is a 1904 charcoal drawing on paper that captures a quiet moment of rest. You see a woman reclining inside the curved back of a large armchair. Her head tilts gently to the side as her hand rests against her cheek and chin. Klimt draws her closed eyes, lips, and facial contours with soft, deliberate pencil lines.
A wide, loose robe covers her torso and lap, patterned with scattered triangular shapes and curved motifs. Below the patterned textile, her legs extend downward through sweeping, open lines. The curved outline of the chair surrounds her, leaving much of the plain paper background untouched to keep your focus on her resting form.
The story behind it
Klimt drew this work in 1904, and records also document it under the German title Sitzende Frau im Lehnstuhl. While he is famous for large oil paintings, he regularly sketched models in relaxed, natural postures in his studio. Exploring his drawings reveals his sensitive handling of charcoal and his interest in fabric ornamentation.
Where to see it
Girl Seated in a Chair is in the permanent collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. You can view the original work on paper through the museum, which preserves this 1904 drawing.
Questions about Girl Seated in a Chair
Where is Girl Seated in a Chair by Klimt?
Girl Seated in a Chair by Klimt is in the permanent collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. The museum preserves the original 1904 drawing on paper. If you plan to visit, check the institution's current exhibition schedule, as fragile works on paper are not always on public display.
What is Girl Seated in a Chair by Klimt made of?
Girl Seated in a Chair by Gustav Klimt is made of charcoal on paper. Klimt created the piece in 1904, using charcoal to outline the seated woman, her flowing patterned dress, and the soft contours of the armchair. The dry medium allowed him to produce both precise, dark details and faint, sweeping strokes.
