Reclining Nude with Outstretched Left Arm

Reclining Nude with Outstretched Left Arm by Gustav Klimt is a significant graphite drawing created during the height of the artist's engagement with the Viennese Secession movement, circa 1903-1904. This period marks Klimt’s transition toward his highly decorative "Golden Phase," even while his contemporaneous studies of the human figure remained centered on raw, academic observation. The work is classified specifically as a drawing, offering crucial insight into the preparatory stages for the elaborate allegorical and mythological paintings Klimt was undertaking at the time.

Executed solely in graphite, the piece captures a female nude in a relaxed posture, lying down, supported by pillows or drapery, with her left arm extending outward. This pose emphasizes the deep curve of her torso and hips, showcasing Klimt’s sophisticated understanding of anatomical complexity. The artist utilizes a delicate yet assured line, shifting rapidly between soft, subtle shading that defines volume and sharp, energetic contours that delineate the forms of the female subjects he frequently explored. These numerous preparatory studies confirm the essential role drawing played in Klimt's artistic process, providing the structural foundation for his more stylized final canvases.

This exemplary work resides in the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a key example of the master’s draftsmanship, the drawing highlights the detailed study that underpinned his output. Because the artwork represents an important historical component of Viennese Modernism, high-quality prints and digital reproductions are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide to study Klimt’s masterful technique.