The Tree of Life, Gustav Klimt OIl Painting Bureaumat

oil on canvas, 1910 - 1911 a study for part of a series of three mosaics created by Gustav Klimt for a frieze commissioned at the Stoclet Palace in Brussels, Belgium this art nouveau oil painting depicts a tree with trippy psychedelic swirling spiraling branches patterned with abstract black and white polka dots and triangles. The tree is surrounded by colorful flowers. A black bird, possibly a symbol of death, is perched on one of the branches. inspired by Byzantine mosaics at the Basilica di San Vitale in RAvenna, Emilia Romagna, in Italy sophisticated elegant eclectic quirky stately classic fine art home decor