Fir Forest I 1901

Gustav Klimt made Fir Forest I with oil paint, we're not sure exactly when, but look at how those colors vibrate. The whole painting breathes, it's got this pulse. It's about the making, the process of laying down each stroke like a little thought. The texture is almost scratchy, you can practically feel the drag of the brush across the canvas. It's not trying to hide its own construction. And the colors, this symphony of oranges, reds, and browns, they're not just describing a forest; they're evoking a mood, a feeling. See that little patch of green near the bottom? It’s like a breath of fresh air in this dense, almost claustrophobic space. It’s all about how Klimt orchestrates these elements to create something that’s both visually stunning and deeply emotional. It brings to mind those incredible late Cézannes; both artists aren't just showing us what's there, but how we see, and how we feel when we look.