Klimt Reconstructed: Machine Painting – Discovering Lost Art with AI and Modernism

This exhibition explores the story of Gustav Klimt's lost Faculty Paintings, which were destroyed in 1945. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the project reconstructs the original coloration and details of these controversial works, offering a new perspective on Viennese modernism.

Initially commissioned for the University of Vienna, Gustav Klimt's Faculty Paintings became mired in scandal due to their critical and unconventional depiction of academic faculties. After a fierce controversy, Klimt bought back the works, vowing to never accept another public commission. The paintings were later seized by the Nazi regime and ultimately destroyed by fire in 1945. With only black-and-white photographs remaining, a collaborative project between Belvedere and Google Arts & Culture utilized artificial intelligence and machine learning to reconstruct the lost works in full color. This ambitious undertaking involved art historians, IT specialists, and Klimt experts, drawing on thousands of comparator images and contemporary art criticism to digitally resurrect the Faculty Paintings. The reconstruction reveals not only the original vibrancy of Klimt's controversial vision but also highlights how his distinct style and palette differed significantly from his contemporaries, which contributed to their initial rejection. The project offers a fascinating insight into art history, digital reconstruction, and the enduring legacy of Viennese modernism.

Information regarding specific exhibition ticketing is not detailed on this page, but general museum entry information is available for Belvedere. Visitors are directed to the Belvedere website for ticket purchases and further details regarding admission to their various locations. Additional information on accessibility and special offers for people with disabilities is provided for Belvedere's sites, including the Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere & Orangerie.