Date of Award

7-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Art History and Visual Culture

Department

Art

First Advisor

Nadia Pawelchak McDonald

Second Advisor

Trenton Olsen

Third Advisor

Sara Berkowitz

Abstract

This thesis analyzes Gustav Klimt’s Hope I (1903) and Hope II (1907–1908) to explore how the artist offered a revolutionary and rare representation of pregnancy at the turn of the twentieth century. Klimt, a key figure in the Symbolist and Art Nouveau movements, is recognized for his decorative, allegorical, and emotionally charged style. His portrayal of the pregnant female body challenged traditional artistic conventions. This thesis argues that Hope I and Hope II are significant not only for their modern visual language, but also for their contribution to the limited representation of pregnancy in Western art. In addition to examining Klimt’s artistic vision, this thesis focuses on the cultural climate in early twentieth-century Vienna and the women who purchased these paintings. Lili Waerndorfer and Eugenia Primavesi, both mothers and forward-thinking art patrons, likely felt a personal connection to these works because of their honest, intimate portrayal of pregnancy. Their decision to acquire and display these unconventional paintings reflects their roles as collectors and highlights the shifting roles of women in Viennese society. These women demonstrated their progressive values and willingness to support bold, thought-provoking art. This thesis offers a deeper understanding of how Hope I and Hope II were received, appreciated, and ultimately given meaning by the women who chose to bring them into their homes.

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