description Hope II Overview
Hope II is an oil painting created by Gustav Klimt in 1907-08 during the period associated with his decorative Golden Phase. It depicts a pregnant woman in profile, wrapped in a patterned garment, with a human skull positioned near her abdomen and bowed female figures below. The combination of pregnancy, death imagery, and ornament presents hope alongside vulnerability and mortality; the painting is held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
help Hope II FAQ
Who painted Hope II and in what year?
Hope II was painted by the Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt between 1907 and 1908. It was created during his famous Golden Phase, a period heavily influenced by the Byzantine mosaics he saw in Ravenna, Italy.
What is the meaning behind the imagery in Hope II?
The painting depicts a pregnant woman with a human skull resting near her abdomen, representing the juxtaposition of life and the very real dangers of childbirth during that era. The brightly colored, patterned garment and the figures at the bottom highlight Klimt's fascination with mortality and feminine cycles.
Where can I see Klimt's Hope II today?
Hope II is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The museum acquired the oil painting in 1978, making it one of the few major Klimt works available to view in the United States.
Is there a painting called Hope I by Gustav Klimt?
Yes, Klimt painted an earlier version titled Hope I in 1903, which also features a pregnant woman but does not include the protective bowed female figures seen in Hope II. Both paintings caused controversy at the time for their frank depiction of pregnancy alongside morbid death symbolism.
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