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What the painting shows
Tragedy by Klimt presents a central dark-haired figure standing upright inside a tall, narrow stone frame. The figure wears a dark black garment and stares directly forward with pale eyes, wearing gold hoop earrings and a gold collar. In front of her torso, hands grasp a pale theatrical mask that shows an open mouth and wide eyes frozen in horror.
The word “TRAGOEDIE” appears in capital gold letters across the lintel above her head. On either side of the framed center, pale figures sketched in fine outlines frame the vertical scene. A dragon coils across the pale upper background, while running spiral patterns decorate the architectural border below.
The story behind it
Gustav Klimt completed the painting in 1897, signing and dating the lower right corner. The composition stands among his major allegories, using classical personifications and theatrical imagery to explore dramatic themes.
The piece combines sharp, realistic drawing in the central woman with faint, linear decoration along the edges. Klimt contrasts the dark, shadowed depth of the center against the flat, delicate linework surrounding it.
Where to see it
You can see Tragedy in the collection of the Wien Museum in Vienna. For travelers planning a tour of Austrian museums, our guide on where to see Klimt paintings highlights the museum alongside other major collections across the city.
Questions about Tragedy
When did Klimt paint Tragedy?
Gustav Klimt painted Tragedy in 1897. The year appears along with his signature in the lower right corner of the composition. Created at a turning point in his artistic development, the piece belongs to Klimt's group of allegorical works and now forms part of the permanent art collection at the Wien Museum in Vienna.
Where is Tragedy by Klimt?
Tragedy by Klimt is in the collection of the Wien Museum in Vienna, Austria. The public museum holds the original 1897 artwork among its historical Viennese collections. Visitors can check with the institution before traveling to confirm whether this specific piece is currently on display in the museum galleries.
