A new documentary from the acclaimed "Terra X - Giants of Art" series delves into the fascinating life of Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), one of the most famous and mysterious artists of the 20th century. The Austrian painter, who created "The Kiss" - one of the world's most recognizable masterpieces - continues to draw massive crowds whether in Vienna, New York, or Tokyo, with his sensual golden compositions selling for record-breaking prices.

Klimt emerges as a man of contradictions in this comprehensive exploration of his life and work. He was simultaneously traditional and boundary-breaking, a feminist advocate yet a notorious womanizer, a loving family man who struggled with lasting relationships. This shy man from humble beginnings became the leader of a revolutionary artistic movement in fin-de-siècle Vienna - the Vienna Secession. Rather than producing conventional historical paintings, Klimt experimented with abstract symbols, gold as a stylistic element, and provocative subject matter that challenged societal norms.

The artist's unconventional lifestyle generated numerous scandals that would dominate today's tabloids and social media. Klimt reportedly wore nothing beneath his blue painter's smock, conducted affairs with many of his models, and fathered six illegitimate children. However, he found a kindred spirit in fashion designer Emilia Flöge, an emancipated woman far ahead of her time who inspired Klimt and significantly influenced his artistic vision.

"The Kiss" stands among the world's most iconic paintings, ranking alongside Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and Edvard Munch's "The Scream." Countless couples pose before the original at Vienna's Belvedere Museum, yet few visitors know the true identity of the figures depicted in this golden embrace. The painting's universal appeal has made it a symbol of love and artistic achievement across cultures.

The documentary features compelling dramatic recreations that trace Klimt's artistic process while attempting to unlock the secrets behind his masterpieces. Researchers from various fields analyze and decipher the creation of his works, with expert commentary from Klimt biographer and art historian Dr. Mona Horncastle, art historian Alfred Weidinger, and Stefanie Jahn, chief restorer at Vienna's Belvedere Museum.

Dr. Horncastle provides crucial insights into Klimt's revolutionary impact, explaining how his seemingly decorative art was actually scandalously modern for its time. "What appears pleasing today was scandalously modern in Klimt's era," she notes. "His paintings are beautiful, but they don't beautify reality. He portrayed strong women, his symbolist works showed life without excluding illness, age, and death, and his Judith is a femme fatale superior to men - a clear statement supporting women's rights during Vienna's heated gender battles around 1900."

Klimt earned the title "painter of women" through his successful portraits of female subjects, which now hang in major museums worldwide. His fascination with independent, unconventional, modern women led him to portray them as powerful personalities who continue to captivate audiences today. As an artist with a mission, Klimt believed firmly that art was political because it refined life and thereby society's value system, perfectly embodying the Vienna Secession's motto: "To every age its art, to art its freedom."

The documentary will be available for streaming starting August 6, 2025, with its television premiere scheduled for August 10, 2025, at 7:30 PM on ZDF. Directed by Christian Stiefenhofer, the film represents the latest installment in the acclaimed "Giants of Art" series, which continues to explore the lives and legacies of history's most influential artists.