Adam and Eve by Gustav Klimt, 1917

Gustav Klimt’s Adam and Eve (1917) is an unfinished late masterpiece that distills the Viennese painter’s lifelong fascination with sensuality, pattern, and the psychology of desire. Unique within his oeuvre as his sole engagement with a biblical theme, the painting eschews the drama of the Fall to present Eve as a timeless, life-giving figure. The tall, elongated composition sets her luminous body before Adam’s darker, more recessive presence, creating a quiet yet monumental duet. At her feet, delicate anemones and, behind her, a pelt with leopard-like patterning impart layered symbols of fertility, wildness, and erotic energy—hallmarks of Klimt’s Symbolist imagination.

This listing offers a high-quality fine art print of Adam and Eve, produced with archival pigment inks on your choice of acid-free, museum-grade paper or artist’s cotton canvas. The Unique Maps Co. provides multiple size options, professional framing, and customization: choose margins, add a discreet caption, or request a personalized dedication—crafted to arrive ready to hang and tailored to your space.

About the artist: Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) was the leading light of the Vienna Secession, celebrated for gilded portraits, opulent allegories, and an unmistakable blend of Symbolism and early Expressionism. While his “Golden Phase” defined a generation of Art Nouveau aesthetics, his final years embraced a freer, more tactile brushwork and a warm, organic palette that deepened the emotional charge of his subjects.

Why this artwork matters: Created at the very end of Klimt’s career, Adam and Eve captures the early twentieth century’s turn away from academic realism toward inner life and psychological resonance. Rather than a moralizing scene, Klimt builds a layered narrative through placement and contrast—Eve forward and radiant, Adam shadowed and contemplative—so that meaning unfolds through mood, posture, and symbolic detail. The floral anemones at Eve’s feet and the animal pelt subtly entwine ideas of beauty, fecundity, and untamed nature, inviting contemplation rather than judgment.

Colour and design: The palette leans warm and muted—glowing oranges and beiges balanced by creamy whites and soft pastels—so the skin tones feel both vital and ethereal. Textural, expressive strokes enliven hair and floral passages, while the interplay of bold patterning (floral motifs against an animal print) amplifies Klimt’s signature fusion of ornament and figure. The elongated, vertical format and gentle, rounded forms lend a serene elegance, making this a statement piece that harmonizes with contemporary, minimalist, or richly layered interiors alike.

A refined and meaningful gift, this print suits weddings and anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Mother’s Day, or a housewarming—perfect for admirers of Klimt, Art Nouveau, Symbolism, and anyone drawn to quietly sensual, exquisitely designed art.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the undefined version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.