Google pays tribute to Austrian symbolist painter with doodle

Internet giant Google on Saturday paid tribute to Austrian symbolist Gustav Klimt on his 150th birth anniversary, with a doodle depicting one of his more prominent works.

Visitors to Google's homepage (www.google.com) Saturday were greeted with an image of "The Kiss," Klimt's painting of a couple kissing.




As in the past, clicking on the doodle will bring the visitor to a Google Search Results page for "Gustav Klimt."

Klimt, born July 14, 1862 and who died on February 6, 1918, was one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement.

He spent much of his childhood in poverty and trained at the Vienna School of Decorative Arts.

While he had a liking for gold, silver and marble in his creations, not all his patrons could afford his expensive creations.

Klimt's major works include paintings, murals, sketches, and other art objects, with his main subject being the female body.

A separate article on IBN Live noted "The Kiss", a 1907-08 oil and gold leaf on canvas painting, was Klimt's most famous work – and one that many believe was Klimt's only self-portrait.

It said Klimt was also a marketing wizard, allowing others to produce copies of his work to increase his reach and impact.

Also, it said Klimt was reputed to have many lovers, including designer Emilie Floege.


He died in Vienna on February 6, 1918 after contracting Spanish flu during the 1918 flu pandemic. — LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Google doodle pays tribute to artist Keith Haring

Internet giant Google on Friday paid tribute to artist and social activist Keith Haring, who was a big influence in the New York art scene and whose work carried visions of unity, before he succumbed to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome-related diseases in 1990.

Visitors to Google's home page were greeted with a series of figures inspired by Haring's works, which spelled out the word "Google."

Haring, who died in 1990 at age 31, would have turned 54 Friday.

As in the past, clicking on the doodle will bring the visitor to a Google Search Results page on Haring.

In his work, Haring had tackled the concepts of birth, death, sex and war. His artworks became a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century.

A year after Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, a foundation was established in his name to assist AIDS-related and children’s charities.

The Keith Haring Foundation also maintains the largest resource of archives on the artist.

"Haring's bold lines and active figures carry poignant messages of vitality and unity. His legacy made an impact on late 20th century art and grants us all a vision for the future," said the website Haring.com. –KG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com