The Painted Kiss: A Novel - Softcover

Hickey, Elizabeth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0743492617 ISBN 13: 9780743492614

Publisher: Washington Square Press, 2006

Synopsis

In this passionate and atmospheric debut novel, Elizabeth Hickey reimagines the tumultuous relationship between the Viennese painter Gustav Klimt and Emilie Flöge, the woman who posed for Klimt's masterpiece The Kiss -- and whose name he uttered with his dying breath. Vienna in 1886 was a city of elegant cafés, grand opera houses, and a thriving and adventurous artistic community. It is here where the twelve-year-old Emilie meets the controversial libertine and painter. Hired by her bourgeois father for basic drawing lessons, Klimt introduces Emilie to a subculture of dissolute artists, wanton models, and decadent patrons that both terrifies and inspires her. The Painted Kiss follows Emilie as she blossoms from a naïve young girl to one of Europe's most exclusive couturiers -- and Klimt's most beloved model and mistress. A provocative love story that brings to life Vienna's cultural milieu, The Painted Kiss is as compelling as a work by Klimt himself.

About this title

Review:

"[A] decorous...investigation of art and artifice...The Painted Kiss throws [the Klimt] mystery into stark relief."

-- The New York Times

"Hickey's language is sensual, lush, and unhurried...[an] expressively written debut."

-- Publishers Weekly

"[R]ichly atmospheric and haunting."

-- Lauren Belfer, author of City of Light

"A graceful imagining."

-- Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

Vienna in 1886 was a city of beautiful architecture, elegant cafes, grand opera houses and a thriving and adventurous artistic community. It was there that twelve-year-old Emilie Floege met the controversial libertine and painter Gustav Klimt. THE PAINTED KISS follows the developing relationship between the moody, brilliant Klimt and Emilie, who blossoms from a naive young girl to a sanguine older woman, becoming mistress of one of the twentieth century's most fascinating artists and the owner of an exclusive Viennese fashion house which Klimt helped design. Originally hired by Emilie's father to paint portraits of the Floege sisters, Klimt becomes Emilie's private art tutor and mentor, spending his summers with the Floege family at their summer home near Salzburg. An art expert, author Elizabeth Hickey brilliantly renders the fascinating cultural milieu of the time and brings to life her two unforgettable protagonists. As in real life, Klimt emerges as an enigmatic and sexually compelling figure whose dalliances include many of his models.

Yet in spite of his frequent affairs, and the turbulent nature of their relationship, it's a matter of record that his last words after his fatal stroke in 1918 were 'Send for Emilie.' It is that unbreakable, lifelong bond that makes THE PAINTED KISS such a passionate and moving love story.

About this edition

• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0743492617
• ISBN 13: 9780743492614
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 289