The monumental painting ‘Medicine’, created by Gustav Klimt around 1900 and destroyed during National Socialism, was reconstructed in detail with the help of artificial intelligence and unveiled on Wednesday at the Medical University of Vienna on the facade of a research building.
In the years around 1900, Gustav Klimt painted the monumental painting ‘The Medicine’. Originally commissioned by the Ministry of Education as one of the ‘faculty photographs’ for the ceiling design of the ballroom of the University of Vienna, it never reached its destination due to the enormous criticism the photographs received from the ministry and the university, but also contradicted by the public.
After the Nazis robbed them, the originals of the faculty photos were lost forever in a fire in May 1945; only sketches and black and white photographs remained. Colored details are only known from the red and gold figure of Hygieia. Using artificial intelligence, Belvedere and Google Arts & Culture reconstructed the color of Klimt’s faculty paintings in the joint project ‘Klimt versus Klimt’.
The result of this reconstruction can now be seen on the facade of the new Anna Spiegel research building on the MedUni Campus AKH.
Ludwig: “Project reflects the spirit of Vienna”
“The revival of Klimt’s ‘Medicine’ using the latest technology is a shining example of the interplay between science and art that distinguishes Vienna as a research and cultural metropolis. It shows how we can use innovation and technology to preserve and shape our cultural heritage for future generations,” said Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig. “This project reflects the spirit of Vienna, where tradition and progress, as well as research and culture, go hand in hand and make our city a unique place of dialogue, where what we have in common always takes precedence over what divides us.”
“With the reconstruction of Klimt’s ‘Medicine’, not only art and science from the turn of the century return to the public space, but also a symbol of the deep-rooted connection between Viennese culture and medicine. This replica honors Klimt’s legacy and recalls the scientific tradition that characterizes our city and its medical innovation,” explains Markus Müller, Rector of MedUni Vienna.
“Thanks to this great idea, the impressive painting, which has been in the possession of the Belvedere since 1919, is now increasingly in the public eye,” says Stella Rollig, general manager of Belvedere. “The original painting was already unusually large at over four meters high, and both on the wall of the Anna Spiegel research building and in the colored version you can see what a great artistic achievement Gustav Klimt has achieved with this work.”
Source: Krone
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