Dame mit lila Schal

early 1890s

Meets Emilie Flöge

Klimt met the fashion designer Emilie Flöge, sister of Helene, his sister-in-law widowed by Ernst's death. She became his lifelong companion; their relationship was intimate but probably remained platonic.

after 1892

A rift with Franz Matsch

Without Ernst the relationship between Klimt and Matsch declined: Matsch moved out of the shared studio and Klimt stayed on alone. Both applied for professorships at the Academy but only Klimt was refused, and the conflict deepened — even years later he would not invite Matsch into the Secession.

1893

Honours for the Burgtheater work

For his work in the Burgtheater Klimt received a small gold medal in 1893, and the partnership received the Golden Cross with Crown from Emperor Franz Joseph.

1894

Commission for the “Faculty Paintings” of the University

The Ministry of Education commissioned Matsch and Klimt to decorate the Great Hall of the University of Vienna. Klimt was given three large ceiling paintings — “Philosophy”, “Medicine” and “Jurisprudence” — and ten tympanum pictures.

1897

First president of the Vienna Secession

The Secession began as a union of fifty founders and Klimt was chosen as its first president: he was sponsored by the influential Carl Moll, and was the eccentric, taciturn leader regarded as steadfast and authentic. In the salon of Carl and Anna Moll he met Viennese society and began painting portraits of its ladies.

1897–1917

Society portraits of Viennese ladies

Over twenty years Klimt painted nearly twenty society portraits of women, which gave him financial independence; Carl Moll introduced him to many of the sitters, most of them from the Jewish upper bourgeoisie. In the portraits the ladies are hidden in sumptuous clothing, their heads and hands seeming to float detached from reality.