 Embracing Couple (Study for The Kiss in the Beethoven-Frieze) |
 Beethoven Frieze |
The drawing is showing an embracing couple done in black crayon. It is a preliminary study for This Kiss for the Whole World of The Beethoven Frieze which is now installed at the Secession Building. Klimt drew the loving couple with simple long wavy lines. He transferred the design to the frieze without much alteration. The Beethoven Frieze was first shown in an exhibition in 1902 to celebrate the cult of Beethoven together with the important sculpture of Beethoven by Max Klinger and other artists of the Secession. According to the 1902 exhibition catalogue, the frieze makes direct reference to the final chorus of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and its central theme is the salvation of “weak mankind” through the mediation of art and love.