Description:
While Klimt's first "Judith" was erroneously called "Salome" from the start (despite that the correct title was clearly on the original frame), "Judith II" only acquired this alternative title after Klimt's death. Salome may actually be more accurate for the latter image, which metamorphosed from charcoal studies of a dancing woman- an activity that is part of Salome's legend, not Judith's. Klimt was probably also influenced by Richard Strauss's 1907 opera (based on the 1893 play by Oscar Wilde). The difference between the two legends is not without significance, for while Judith was a heroine who used her feminine wiles to seduce the enemy and then slew him, Salome (particularly as portrayed by Strauss and Wilde) was a spoiled nymphet who charmed King Herod into giving her the head of John the Baptist. "Judith II," with her claws bared and entwined in John's hair, is a far more imposing image than "Judith I." Stylistically, "Judith II" falls on the warning side of Klimt's gold and mosaic period. The ornamentation is more painterly, the gilding less predominant. The attenuated vertical composition (breaking from the sqarish format that Klimt generally favored), results in a dense clustering of large and small shapes. Klimt's usual packed, piling-up of schematic elements is one of the things that give "Judith II" an oppressive intensity. The extremity of the vertical approach brings to mind Oriental scrolls, pillar prints or Oban. His paintings of this time did herald a more conscious awareness of such art forms.
You are viewing a Serigraph print. Fine artists create serigraphs in limited runs by applying layer upon layer of pigment to the print surface by pressing it through a mesh screen containing a stencil. The complex and lenghty process commonly uses inks for pigment and stencils made of a variety of materials. Because of the nature of the process each serigrph is unique.
You are viewing a giclee print. Each piece was created by a special process called "Giclee". Giclee is a computer generated print that is produced by the spraying of an image on to fine art paper. The inks used are specially formulated so that the fine print heads can spurt jets of ink in minute droplets. When prints are produced on fine art quality paper, the print should posses archival standards of permanence comparable or better than other collectible work.
You are viewing a hand colored print. The process begins with hand-pulled black & white decorative and antique reproduction prints. Each print is then individually designed and hand colored using the same methods of color application that were used throughout the 19th century, before modern color lithography. Individual artists meticulously paint each piece using the finest European watercolor paints on heavy mat, acid free, archival paper resistant to deterioration and discoloration. By combining old world craftsmanship with fresh design innovations, our artists create works of stunning depth and vibrancy that are absolutely beautiful and unique.
You are viewing a museum quality fine-art print. The prints we carry are produced using either the lithographic or serigraphic printing process and are printed on high quality archival acid free paper. Most prints are on a thick (120 pound or higher) stock of paper. Each print is of the highest museum art print reproduction quality and are supplied by the world's leading art publishers. These prints rival any detailed reproduction from their originals and are geared towards the discerning eye of the particular art collector.
Limited editions are a series of identical prints, which are limited to a one-time printing of a certain number of pieces. The artist determines the size of the edition, and usually signs and numbers each individual piece. Limited edition prints framed by the Fulcrum Gallery are handled separately and given the utmost individual care and attention, using archival framing materials and practices. Because limited editions are in limited supply, and are of exceptionally high quality, the price is generally at a premium to regular open edition prints.
