The different world of the artist
Gustav Klimt’s “Medical School,” created in 1902, was one of three large and controversial paintings commissioned to decorate the ceiling of the Great Hall of the University of Vienna. The other two were “Philosophy” and “Law.” These works were heavily criticized for their explicit nudity and pessimistic approach to the subject matter and were never exhibited at the university.
The “Medical School” presents an asymmetrical composition. On the right half of the painting, the “stream of life” is depicted with a multitude of naked bodies of various ages floating in a vague, vortex-like space. Among these bodies, a skeleton can also be seen, symbolizing death in the midst of life.
On the left half of the painting, a young, naked woman is depicted in a pose of resignation to illness and death. At her feet, a baby can be seen, symbolizing the beginning of life. The image of a naked pregnant woman above the flow of life was highly innovative and provocative at the time.
At the bottom of the painting, Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, stands with her back to the viewer, a snake coiled around her arm and a cup in her hand. This goddess is usually considered a symbol of health and healing, but in Klimt's painting, her back to humans could represent the powerlessness of medicine in the face of death and suffering.
Contrary to the expectations of the commissioners, who wanted an idealized image of medicine, Klimt presented a bleak and realistic picture of suffering, illness, and death. The depiction of nudity, especially the pregnant woman, as well as the lack of any celebration of the role of medicine in healing, angered doctors and university officials. They considered the work immoral and satirical.
Many critics called the painting "pornographic" and "perverse excess" due to its explicit depiction of the human body and reference to the darker aspects of life. In response to these criticisms, Klimt created another painting, "Goldfish (To My Critics)," which depicted a beautiful woman in a mocking pose.
Ultimately, due to the controversy, Klimt withdrew from the commission and returned the advance payment. The three paintings were later purchased by private collectors. Unfortunately, during World War II, in 1945, all three paintings, "Faculty of Medicine," "Philosophy," and "Law," are believed to have been destroyed in a castle fire in Austria. Today, only a few preliminary sketches and a few black-and-white photographs of this controversial work remain. However, recent attempts have been made to digitally reconstruct the work using artificial intelligence.
The painting "Medical School" holds a special place in art history not only for its provocative content and pessimistic interpretation of medical science, but also as an example of Gustav Klimt's innovative and bold approach to depicting complex human issues.
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