Two Portraits—Similarities and Differences Styles and Looks
When it comes to comparing the two well known paintings of two famous artists, the “The Woman With A Pearl Necklace In A Lodge”(1879) of the American artist Mary Cassatt, and the “Adele Bloch Bauer I”(1907) of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, art lovers would enjoy to see at first, the two portraits are similar, each shows a beautiful lady. However, after looking closely, we can tell that the works are totally different: different in styles, the use of materials, colors, also different looks or expressions from each model.
To begin with, let’s talk about the different working styles between the artists. According to “Gustav Klimt” of Gilles Neret, “If there is any artist whose ‘whole art is indeed erotic’, then that artist is Gustav Klimt”(Neret 83), which means that almost Klimt’s paintings focus on female body and present for erotica.
In the other hand, Mary Cassatt is called as an “inspirational” artist because she is often focusing on emotional themes; especially, inspirational works on mother and children. Different artists, difference styles, so how are the differences between the two portraits? I am going to point out what are the differences and similarities of those portraits.
As we examine carefully, we will see many differences. One obvious difference is the use of materials. The “Woman With A Pearl Necklace In A Lodge” is painted with oil in canvas, while the portrait of “Adele Bloch Bauer I” is drew with oil, silver, and gold in canvas. Furthermore, the use of colors in the paintings, Mary Cassatt paints the portrait using bright, happy colors with more pink and red on the background. On the contrary, Gustav Klimt enjoys drawing his work with more blue, grey, and especially, a lot of gold for the whole picture. So why does Klimt use a lot of gold in his painting? According to Ilona Parsons, the artist likes to use more gold because, “During the course of Klimt’s career, gold took on different symbolic meanings. In his earlier paintings it was used to emphasize sacred objects – Gold was associated with the sexual appeal of femmes fatales…and it heightened the sexual suggestiveness of the patterns that adorned the women’s robes” (Parsons 60).
As we look again at the two portraits, we can tell the differences of the appearances from the two models and their facial expressions. The woman in the “Woman With A Pearl Necklace In A Lodge” sits in a little room, relaxing with a happy smile and bright eyes, holding an object on her hand. She looks happy and healthy in her pink color dress. Her facial expression shows that she is thinking about some happy thing or waiting for someone to come. And also the background of the painting reflects the society at that time. According to Marry Casssat and Philadelphi, “Part of their credo of depicting the truth of modern life upon rendering urbane society engaged in typical pursuits” (Lindsay 41).
Differently, the woman in the portrait of Klimt is standing, holding her hands together and looking very pale, unhealthy. Her thin hands, her tired face, and her opened eyes but droop eyelids show that she is sick in her long, fancy dress. Her facial expression tells that she is worrying about something or thinking about some sad events, which may be going to happen to her.
There are many differences between two portraits; however, they still have similarities if we consider to the artists and look deeply at those art works. Both portraits are from famous painters. Gustav Klimt is a famous Austrian artist. Most of his paintings have special impression that really attracts people. Especially, with the portraits of “Adele Bloch Bauer I” which is considered the most expensive ever sold with $135 million US dollars.
Like Klimt, Mary Cassatt is well-known as an America’s first famous women artist. In 1876, she was the first impressionistic painter in the United States. Most importantly, both beautiful women in the portraits are wearing long dresses with deep, plunging necklines; and through their dress up, we can recognize that both of the women are from high-class level in society.
In conclusion, despites of the fact that they are different, different styles and looks, the two portraits are still similar in some ways. Famous artists finish both portraits and each has its special beauty and value, showing beautiful figures of models. Thus, if you were ever asked to choose one of them, which one would you choose? For me, I would choose the “Woman With A Pearl Necklace In A Lodge” of Mary Cassatt. Even though this portrait isn’t as expensive as the “Adele Bloch Bauer I,” I think I like it because of the freshness of beauty of the model, also, the happy look of the whole picture.

Work Cited

Neret, Gilles. Gustav Klimt. Trans. Charity Scott Stokes. London: Benedikt Taschen Verlag GmbH, 2000. Print.

Parsons, Ilona Sarmany. Gustav Klimt. New York: Crown Publisher, 1987. Print.

Suzanne G, Linsay. Marry Cassatt and Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Museum Of Art, 1985.