Death and Life ☲ Klimt ☷ Canvas Size:33¾ x 30 Trees on the far bank

Trees on the far bank are reflected in the water

It depicts an actual cafe in Arles

including a mother and child

It is suggested that Rembrandt based this scene on his father’s mill outside Leiden

It depicts a busy coffeehouse in the late evening

Death and Life ☲ Klimt ☷ Canvas Size:33¾ x 30 Trees on the far bankDeath and Life (1915) by Gustav Klimt is regarded as one of his greatest allegories he described it as his most important figurative work. A menacing Grim Reaper with cudgel watches over a vibrant display of all stages of life, including a mother and child, an old woman, and a loving couple. Both death and life are adorned with colorful art nouveau mosaics. Death may claim one from life, but life itself eludes its grasp.