The Kiss Pocket Square
The Kiss, was painted between 1907 and 1908 by Gustav Klimt, and was displayed for the first time in 1908 in Vienna. It is said that Klimt's use of gold was inspired by the Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna which he visited in 1903, and following this visit, he started to make unprecedented use of gold and silver leaf in his own work. Also part of the series is the Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer and The Kiss was the last of Klimt's works in his "gold period".
It is rumoured that Klimt’s partner, Emilie Flöge, modelled for the painting with the artist himself. Despite being criticised for some of his work, which was judged as too intimate, and even pornographic by the post Victorians, The Kiss was well received and the Austrian government bought it before the artist even had a chance to finish it.
Founder insight
"The works by Klimt are some of my favourites in our collection and The Kiss is no exception. A well recognised and received painting, the gold tones print beautifully onto the silk we use, shimmering ever so slightly when caught in the light and providing a richness that is seldom seen when printing on fabric. The tones also lend themselves beautifully to a navy blazer so it becomes a go to for most situations."
Elliott Rampley, Co-founder
The composition
At 180cm x 180cm, the painting is almost life sized. It depicts a couple kissing and positioned in front of a plain gold background in order to draw your focus to them. Known for his patterns and his use of gold leaves, Klimt painted the man with a crown of vines on his head, while the woman wears flowers in her hair, her eyes closed. The dominant male force is signified by the powerful coat of masculine black and grey blocks, softened by the feminine organic scrolling.
Following it's initial exhibition in 1908, the painting can now be found in the Belvedere, Vienna.
The Artist
Gustav Klimt (1862 - 1918) was an Austrian symbolist painter who is primarily noted for his paintings, murals, sketches, and other objects d'arts. His main study was the female body, but he also produced a number of landscapes, and his works are strongly influenced by Japanese art and its methods.
He undertook a number of public commissions, most notably the Grand Hall of the University of Vienna in 1900. Following the completion of the ceiling painting, his work was criticised as pornographic, and he undertook no further public commissions. It was after this that he achieved a new level of success with his "golden phase", the last painting of which is The Kiss.
Since his death, Klimt has been a source of inspiration for several TV series, and John Galliano's spring-summer 2008, and has even appeared on was inspired by his works. He has even appeared on commemorative coins.
What Makes Our Pocket Squares Special?
1. We believe that 40cm is the minimum size for a high quality pocket square. Any smaller and it will slide down inside your pocket with any movement of your jacket, while it limits the number of folds you can achieve as there is not enough volume to hold it in place. It goes without saying we would never advocate any form of pocket square holder. All our pocket squares are either 42cm x 42cm or 40cm x 40cm.
2. We use the finest mulberry silk with our silk and wool/silk pocket squares. The quality of the fabric can be seen in the texture and the level of detail and vibrancy of the finished product. All our pocket squares are printed in Macclesfield, England, an area renowned for silk printing for the past 200 years.
3. We take the utmost care in printing our pocket squares, which results in truly remarkable levels of detail. Faces, objects and colours are sharp and well defined to give a truly stunning finish. We also take exceptional care with the colour bleed, so the print is almost as crisp on the back as it is on the front, allowing for an unlimited number of folds.
4. The art of hand rolling pocket squares is a unique craft and truly makes each piece individual and unique. We feel that the precision and care taken by our skilled artisans gives each square its own unique character, finish and feel. To create the finest rolled hems, the edge of the silk must be softy turned over with a handheld needle and then small stitches are inserted approximately one half to one centimetre apart around the edge, creating a supple yet prominent border.
