Introduction

Identifying the main stumbling blocks in the study of Gustav Klimt's oeuvre —the notorious unpopularity of the artist in his native city until the end of the twentieth century, loss of his East Asian collection and many books from his library, scarcity of documentation, etc.—the Introduction argues that, as Japonisme became a Zeitgeist in fin-de-siècle Vienna by the end of the nineteenth century, Klimt was its most fervent advocate. The Japanese presence in Klimt's art constituted a principal catalyst for his stylistic renewal and his determination to lead the Secessionist revolt in Habsburg capital. By mapping the Japanese dimension of Klimt's art, the book seeks to shift the scholarly narrative concerning his modernism beyond an exclusively Euro-centric framework toward one that is deeper and more inclusive, transcending borders and historical eras. The Introduction also offers a brief review of the literature on Viennese Japonisme , outlines some methods adopted in the study, and briefly sketches the structure of the monograph.