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What the painting shows
Head of a Woman by Klimt presents a close view of a female subject set against a bright, warm yellow background. Klimt carefully finished the woman’s face, using pale, porcelain skin tones with hints of blue, soft rose cheeks, and defined red lips. Her pale eyes look straight at you beneath arched, dark eyebrows, while wavy reddish-blonde hair peeks out from under a yellow cap. Dark accents rest on either side of her jawline.
In contrast to the detailed face, the lower half of the figure consists entirely of sweeping outline sketches. Loose, dark lines sweep downward to trace the voluminous folds of a wide cloak or shawl wrapped tightly around her neck and shoulders. Within these flowing contours, the surface remains flat yellow, giving you an immediate look at how the artist blocked out forms. This contrast makes the work stand out among Klimt’s [/portraits/].
The story behind it
Klimt worked on the piece, also known under the German title Frauenkopf, between 1917 and 1918. It remains an unfinished portrait by Gustav Klimt, showing the composition halted mid-process.
In his finished [/paintings/], Klimt typically layered dense colors or geometric ornaments over his initial sketches. Because this work stopped after the face was painted, you can see how he planned the silhouette and proportions of the clothing with fluid lines before applying paint.
Where to see it
Head of a Woman is held in the permanent collection of the Lentos Art Museum in Linz. You can view the original work in the museum collection in Linz, Austria.
Questions about Head of a Woman
When did Klimt paint Head of a Woman?
Gustav Klimt painted Head of a Woman between 1917 and 1918. He developed the portrait during the final phase of his artistic career. The work remains an unfinished portrait, showing a fully painted face alongside quick outline sketches for the rest of the figure. In catalog records and historical documents, the painting is also identified by its German title, Frauenkopf.
Where is Head of a Woman by Klimt?
Head of a Woman by Klimt is located in Linz, Austria, at the Lentos Art Museum. The museum holds this unfinished portrait as part of its permanent collection. Art lovers and travelers can see the painting in Linz, where it offers a direct demonstration of how Klimt sketched his compositions and rendered facial details before completing the surrounding garments.
