Two Paintings by Gustav Klimt, by Jorie Graham

Before looking at any of Klimt's work, I read Jorie Grahams poem. From the very beginning of her poem it seemed as if she was describing this marvelous picture. She is describing the glitter that is coming off the trees, and is trying to say that those beautiful trees aren't doing the world enough justice as they should be. Then she begins to say how the chips that are catching the rays of sun is beautiful, and comparing that to how humans are beautiful. She then begins to speak about how those who are dead, would probably give up anything just to be back here on this beautiful earth again.

When Graham begins to describe Klimts work, it's almost as if she was going from one thing to a complete opposite. I failed to see any connection by talking about what she was, to then mentioning an artist and his work. When she described his work however, it's as if she is trying to say that the details of the art, is what really makes the art. The work wasn't finished but the way that the woman looked, the way her body was drawn out from her mouth to her legs gave the painting such an emotion. I find it interesting how the last lines of the poem are referring to the painting having something to do with pleasure.

After analyzing and reading the poem, I felt as if it would be time to look at the actual paintings, and see if it gives me anymore insight into what the poem is about. The first painting in which I looked at was Buchenwald, which was mentioned in the poem. I found that painting at, http://arthistory.about.com/od/klimt/ig/blochbauerklimts/p_1_ig.htm. While looking at that picture I felt drawn into it. The amount of detail that was used, especially on the trees, including the moss that was so meticulously drawn onto the trees really made the painting so interesting for me. The leaves on the ground look so real with their density, it's almost as if someone had been walking through the woods and took a picture with their camera. Looking at this picture you can see exactly what Graham was describing when she was talking about the beauty of trees. In fact, upon looking at this picture I felt like it was so great that I had sent it to my phone to use as a background.

I think it's great that poets can include works of art in their poetry, because it gives us as readers who enjoy looking at poetry a chance to see what inspires the poets to write.