Klimt rekonstruiert: Maschinenmalerei – An Exhibition on AI Reconstruction of Lost Faculty Paintings by Gustav Klimt

This exhibition details the reconstruction of Gustav Klimt's lost Faculty Paintings using artificial intelligence, originally commissioned for the University of Vienna. It explores the historical scandal surrounding the pessimistic portrayals and their eventual destruction.

Gustav Klimt's iconic Faculty Paintings, once a prominent commission for the University of Vienna, were lost in flames in 1945, existing only in black-and-white photographs. This exhibition delves into the compelling story behind these works, detailing their creation between 1894 and 1907, the artistic controversies they sparked due to their critical and pessimistic depictions of science, and the subsequent confiscation and destruction. The narrative highlights the bitter disputes with the patrons, Klimt's decision to withdraw from public commissions, and the tragic end of the paintings at Schloss Immendorf. A unique collaboration between the Belvedere and Google Arts & Culture, utilizing advanced AI and machine learning, has digitally reconstructed these lost masterpieces, making their original colors and intricate details accessible once more. This project involved extensive art historical research, analysis of comparative artworks from the period, and precise color assignments based on contemporary art criticism and surviving fragments, including a color photograph of the 'Medicine' Faculty Painting. The reconstruction process, part of the 'Klimt versus Klimt' project, involved international experts and sophisticated algorithms adapted for art historical purposes. Thousands of comparative images and detailed descriptions from period art critics were fed into the system to recreate the intended palette. The project revealed not only the original vibrancy of Klimt's work but also underscored how much his approach, particularly in color and theme, diverged from his collaborator Franz Matsch and from conventional academic standards of the time. The exhibition thus offers a deep dive into a significant chapter of Viennese art history, a testament to Klimt's revolutionary spirit, and a demonstration of how technology can bring lost art back to light.

Information regarding ticketing and opening hours can be found on the Belvedere museum's website, with various sections like the Upper Belvedere and Orangerie having different operating times. Discounts are available with the Vienna City Card for certain Belvedere locations.