Printing technique: Giclée print on heavy museum art paper, 2012
Printing company: Wiener Druckanstalt - Vienna printing company
Edited by: Klimt Villa Vienna, embossed “Klimt Villa Vienna” (last studio of Gustav Klimt, Vienna)

Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan) was one of Gustav Klimt’s final paintings, more or less completed in 1918, the year of his death. It represents a culmination of his artistic evolution, combining his signature focus on femininity, decorative patterns, and cross-cultural influences. The painting shows Klimt continuing to explore vibrant colors and intricate detailing right up to the end of his life.

Despite suffering a stroke earlier that year, Klimt remained artistically active, and Lady with a Fan was left in his studio when he passed away. The painting reflects his enduring fascination with sensuality and beauty, presented with a more playful, lighter atmosphere compared to some of his earlier, more symbolically intense works like The Kiss or Judith and the Head of Holofernes.

The absence of gold leaf, which was prominent in many of Klimt’s earlier works, is also notable. Instead, Klimt used bright, vivid colors to create a sense of opulence and sensuality. The intricate patterns of the woman's robe and the exotic birds and flowers in the background suggest Klimt's ongoing fascination with Asian art, a theme that had influenced much of his work during his Golden Phase.

Given its context as one of his final works, Dame mit Fächer holds a special place in Klimt’s legacy, representing the final notes of his artistic journey and his lasting impact on modern art.