What the painting shows

Josef Lewinsky as Carlos in Clavigo by Gustav Klimt shows the actor standing in costume against a dark central panel. The composition divides into three vertical sections framed by gold bands at the top and bottom. Above the central figure, painted gold lettering gives the German title, “IOSEF LEWINSKY ALS CARLOS IN CLAVIGO”. Klimt signed and dated the piece near the bottom gold border.

The central panel presents Lewinsky in profile, turned toward the left with a pale face and powdered hair. He wears a dark eighteenth-century coat, dark breeches, and a white cravat at his neck. To the left, climbing yellow vine leaves rise along a soft gray field. To the right, a vapor of pale smoke ascends from a small golden tripod brazier, carrying faint figures and theatrical faces that float above the actor. The piece belongs among Klimt’s notable portraits and early works.

Who the sitter was

The sitter in the painting is Josef Lewinsky, shown in theatrical costume in the role of Carlos from the play Clavigo.

Where to see it

You can see Josef Lewinsky as Carlos in Clavigo at the Belvedere in Vienna, Austria, where the oil painting belongs to the permanent collection.