Van Gogh Reborn!

Chapter 182: Holy Spring (8)

Chapter 182 Holy Spring (8)

Kim Jiwoos eyes sparkled as she arrived at the Belvedere Museum.1)

She was overwhelmed by the elegant and majestic Baroque building under the cobalt teal blue roof.

She was eager to see what awaited her inside, but she was not impatient.

She calmly walked through the well-kept garden, admiring the statues that were placed here and there.

She did not want to see Gustav Klimts <The Kiss>, which she had longed for, without any preparation.

As she entered the Upper Belvedere, she was greeted by four historians who supported the ceiling. The Belvedere Museum, which had turned even the pillars into artworks, was made entirely of white marble except for the window frames.

She slowly exhaled the breath she had taken in as she passed through the archway and climbed the stairs.

She looked at the sculptures, paintings, and sometimes the palace itself. There was not a single piece that did not stir her heart.

Above the beautifully hanging chandelier, there were angels. 

The walls that did not display any artworks were delicately carved, and there were ideal human statues on each pillar.

She did this for a while.

When her longing became too much to bear, Kim Jiwoo turned her steps.

She did not care about the situation that had delayed her summer vacation, which was scheduled for August, until October.

She did not mind the frustration of having to stay at the airport for half a day due to the flight delay.

She did not mind the fact that she had to leave the expensive hotel she had booked with her eyes barely closed.

She was filled with excitement to see <The Kiss>.

One step, one step.

She did not lift her head.

She only lifted her head when she had the artwork in front of her.

Brilliant? No.

Gustav Klimts <The Kiss> was shining softly under the light.2)

Kim Jiwoo could not breathe in front of the holy golden light.

She had seen it repeatedly in photos, replicas, and heard various words about <The Kiss>.

She had studied it and even wrote an article about it, but she had to admit that she did not know anything about <The Kiss> until now.

The nameless flowers that bloomed cutely.

They had a freshness that was unthinkable for Klimt, who was a painter of sensuality.

How could the flowers that bloomed on the cliff be so beautiful?

No, that was why they were more pure.

Their existence was more precious because they were in a place where they would fall into the abyss if they took one more step.

The reunited lovers embraced each other and became one.

If the mans clothes did not have square patterns and the womans clothes did not have round patterns, they would have been indistinguishable from each other.

How special was their love that they became one despite being different?

Why did he paint them without kissing?

Kim Jiwoo was guessing the answer.

Klimt loved Emilie, who was 12 years younger than him, deeply.

He was a painter of sensuality who wanted to capture Emilies eros on the canvas, but he could not get any sexual desire or inspiration from her.

When he faced her, he was drawn to her clear and pure soul and could not even think of painting.

Klimt left her to paint.

Emilie left him to pursue her life as a costume designer.

<The Kiss> was a work that Klimt painted after he broke up with Emilie.

As his body became distant from her, his thirst for her grew stronger, and he painted it with anguish and affection.

The painter of sensuality, who had previously depicted the seductive and fatal aspects of womens nudity, finally completed the beauty.

It took Gustav Klimt two years to complete <The Kiss>, during which he confirmed his feelings for Emilie. He went to find her, and they stayed together until death parted them.

Kim Jiwoo thought that the reason why Klimt painted <The Kiss> without their lips touching was because he was courting her again.

How much time had passed?

Kim Jiwoo took out her camera and turned off the flash function, then took a picture of <The Kiss>.3)

But no matter how many times she tried, she could not capture its beauty.

She gave up on taking photos with regret and turned her head to admire <The Kiss> from a distance. She was startled.

Go Hoon and Go Suyeol were right next to her.

Huh?

Go Hoon put his index finger on his lips.

He had been looking at <The Kiss> before Kim Jiwoo arrived, but he waited for her because he did not want to disturb her in love.

The three of them left the exhibition hall and stood in front of the souvenir shop on the first floor.

***

Oh my. Oh my. Professor, no, writer, you look so much happier.

Hehe. Thank you.

Is it because youre traveling with Hoon? By the way, Hoon, how did you get here? Werent you in Paris? And are you okay? I heard there could be some aftereffects even though the hospital said there was nothing wrong. Are you sleeping well?

Kim Jiwoo asked questions without a pause, as usual.

She wondered if she was the same person who had a sorrowful expression in front of <The Kiss> a while ago.

I was also mesmerized by it, but the difference in her mood was huge.

But I was glad to see her in an unexpected place.

I wanted to see you and hear your story. I came to see the paintings while I was asking Malo for a frame.

A frame? Oh! The Art Nouveau contest?

Yes.

What about your work? Did you finish it? How is it?

It turned out well.

He lifted both arms and cheered, making me feel happy as well.

Youll win the grand prize. The grand prize.

I dont know about that, but I think theyll like it a lot.

Why? If you say it turned out well, then you must be satisfied with it, right?

There are many talented people out there.

Kim Jiwoo nodded.

So you asked for a frame?

He nodded and clapped his knees, happy.

What? You really hit the jackpot.

I dont know what he means by hitting the jackpot.

It seems like a phrase he uses when hes positive, judging by his expression and behavior.

Its not just anyone, its Pierre Malo who recognized you. You did well to write the winning article in advance.

How can I write it when it hasnt even started yet?

I usually prepare an outline for important things so I can write the article quickly. The genius painter Go Hoon who won the grand prize in the worlds largest contest. Wow~ Thats great. I love it.

Hes always energetic, no matter when I see him.

But didnt you say youd come during the summer vacation?

I was super busy preparing for the special issue.

Special issue?

Yeah. I sorted and selected the people who participated in the Art Nouveau contest. I skipped this month and came when I had some time.

It seems like the monthly magazine <Yehwa> is also preparing a lot for the contest that has the biggest prize money in the world.

Be sure to check out the September issue. There will be a special issue on the Art Nouveau contest in November, but in the September issue, I introduced whos in it and what kind of works theyve published so far.

But its an anonymous exhibition anyway.

Hey. Even if its anonymous, their style wont change, right? Youll recognize them all.

There might be people who dont want to be known. If they dont draw the way they used to, you wont be able to tell.

Is that so? If you want to win, I think its better to make it clear who you are.

It would help to gather fans if they did as Kim Jiwoo said.

But the artists are so eccentric that I dont think such common sense will work.

So?

Yes?

How was it? Klimt.

Kim Jiwoos eyes sparkled.

He was an amazing person.

He opened his eyes wide as she shared her impressions of meeting Gustav Klimt for the past few days.

Right.

But he soon shook his head.

The painters who lived in the same era as Klimt couldnt influence him. He was such a unique existence. If I had to name someone who influenced him, it would be Van Gogh from the previous era.

And the kiss he painted while thinking of Emilie. Oh, do you know? Austria bought the kiss as soon as it was announced.

My grandfather told me.

<The Kiss> was truly Gustav Klimts masterpiece.

It was the work that made the government acknowledge Gustav Klimt, who had rejected the classical art that the emperor wanted.

Since its announcement, Klimts works were exhibited all over Europe. He created his own school and reached the peak in every aspect, both commercially and artistically.

Kim Jiwoos expression darkened as she continued to praise Klimt. She felt sorry for him, who had changed drastically after <The Kiss>.

What is talent, anyway?

She sighed deeply and lifted her head.

Grandfather, what do you think talent is?

Hmm.

The grandfather groaned softly and organized his thoughts.

I think its something I dont have.

You dont have?

People often dont know what talent they have. They only see what others have.

Ah.

Egon Schiele asked Klimt, didnt he? If he had talent.

Egon Schiele, Klimts disciple.

She hadnt seen his works, but she had heard from her grandfather that Klimt had a great painter as his disciple.

You have a lot of talent. Too much. I wish I could draw peoples faces like you.

Kim Jiwoo recited what Klimt had said to his disciple.

The disciple, who couldnt be sure of his future, had hoped for a definitive answer from his question, but the answer that Klimt gave was too sad.

He acknowledged his disciples talent, but at the same time, he felt a kind of frustration.

The grandfather continued to explain.

Yes. Klimt confessed in front of the art critics at that time. He said that young artists rise by stepping on the existing artists.

That was the only way to establish their own world.

Klimt added, Its hard to think calmly about this.

He lamented that the time when young artists came up to him came too soon, didnt he?

The grandfather nodded at Kim Jiwoos confirmation question.

But look. Is Klimt inferior to painters like Egon Schiele or Oskar Kokoschka?

No!

Kim Jiwoo denied strongly.

It was something she couldnt accept as someone who loved him so much.

And I think so too.

Klimt was a great person in himself, regardless of the difference in talent he felt from his disciples like Schiele and Kokoschka.

The grandfather smiled.

I think so too.

The genius painter of the fin de sicle, Gustav Klimt, who was frustrated by the rising disciples.

The human Gustav Klimt, who had broken the mainstream art world with his own hands, but lamented that he had become the mainstream.

The man who praised humanity and the victory of hardship through Beethovens Ninth Symphony, deeply realized the finiteness of life.

And then, he struggled in the dark despair until the end and closed his eyes.

He never painted a picture like <The Kiss> again.

I saw on the internet that some people say that Klimt declined after the golden period.

Kim Jiwoo dropped her head, dejected.

I dont think so.

Huh?

People can envy the talent they dont have. They can lament and be discouraged. But Klimt didnt stop.

At first, I just admired him for his achievements and works.

He realized that the times were changing and he destroyed the school he had completed with his own style and started over from the beginning.

The grandfather nodded and agreed with my words.

His description, color sense, composition, and splendid decorative patterns are all evidence that Klimt was a great painter, but I think his passion for feeling jealous of his young disciple and his determination to break his stubbornness and find a new style are more admirable.

Right!

Kim Jiwoo clapped her hands and liked it.

I want to live like that too. Someday, I want to create something with people who share my heart, and give each other a good influence. Something like that.

Everything is different from then.

I have everything I need: money, fame, health.

I dont need to be afraid.

*****

1)Belvedere means observatory in Italian. It can be understood as a palace with a good view.

There is a French-style garden spread out after passing the lower palace where the exhibition is held, and there is an upper palace where the permanent exhibition is held.

2)The Kiss, Gustav Klimt, 1908~1909, oil and gold on canvas

3)The Belvedere Museum allows photography, but prohibits sound and flash functions.