Advertisement
Photography

Watch How Inge Prader Brought Klimt’s Masterpieces To Life

Zuzanna Stańska 21 July 2017 min Read

Golden phase of Gustav Klimt’s art brought to this world one of the most characteristic pieces of art in history. In 2015, the photographer Inge Prader, on the occasion of the life ball in Vienna, the annual AIDS charity event, has recreated the impression of the Vienna Secession by bringing the painted personages of Gustav Klimt to life.

Posed models presented on backgrounds full of gold and decorativeness duplicate some of Klimt’s most iconic masterworks like ‘Death and Life’ and ‘Beethoven Frieze’. Richly ornamented costumes clothing warriors and women alike are situated alongside semi-nude figures and set against detailed mosaic backdrops, projecting paradise-like conditions.

What do you think about them?

Danae

Recreation of ‘Danae’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘Danae’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Gustav Klimt, Danae (1907) Galerie Würthle
Gustav Klimt, Danae (1907) Galerie Würthle

The Beethoven Frieze

Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Gustav Klimt, Beethoven Frieze (1902) Vienna Secession Building
Gustav Klimt, Beethoven Frieze (1902) Vienna Secession Building
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Beethoven Frieze’ detail by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader

Death and Life

Recreation of ‘‘Death and Life’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘‘Death and Life’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Gustav Klimt, Death and Life (1916).
Gustav Klimt, Death and Life (1916), Leopold Museum

Medicine

Recreation of ‘Medicine’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
Recreation of ‘Medicine’ by Inge Prader image © Life Ball / Inge Prader
University of Vienna Ceiling Paintings (Medicine), detail showing Hygieia, 1900 - 1907 (destroyed during II World War)
University of Vienna Ceiling Paintings (Medicine), detail showing Hygieia, 1900 – 1907 (destroyed during II World War)

Recommended

Photography

The Migrant Experience Captured in 10 Photographs

The act of leaving and going somewhere else has always been a major element of humanity. Spanning over a hundred years, the 10 photographs on this...

Sam Malone 18 June 2026

Carrie Mae Weems, Kitchen Table Series: Untitled (Woman and Daughter with Make-up), 1990. Photography

Masterpiece Series: Kitchen Table Series by Carrie Mae Weems

Artist Carrie Mae Weems was born in Portland, Oregon, USA. Now in her seventies, she is still actively working, and is considered one of America’s...

Candy Bedworth 1 February 2026

Photography

An Homage to Tadeusz Rolke in 10 Photographs

Tadeusz Rolke, hailed as an icon and legend of Polish photojournalism, died in his native Warsaw in July 2025, at the age of 96. He dedicated his...

Guest Author 6 October 2025

Photography

Salvador Dalí and Philippe Halsman: 37 Years of Collaboration

Salvador Dalí and Philippe Halsman’s 37-year collaboration challenged viewers and revealed connections between the traditionally realistic medium...

Theodore Carter 24 October 2025

Advertisement