Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt nail art

I’m always looking for inspiration, and I have had this MoYou London plate for ages, which has elements of Gustav Klimt’s artwork.  The Art Nouveau artist was influenced by Byzantine artwork and mosaics, and his golden phase works are most familiar to me.  I created this Klimt nail art based on the Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which is one of his most famous.

Thumbnail detail of Gustav Klimt nail art design

Polishes and tools

Nailtiques Formula 2+
Barry M Gold Foil Effect
MoYou London Artist 02
Painted Polish Midnight Mischief
HJ Manicure Strawberry Daiquiri
Color Club French Tip
Winstonia brushes
Rainbow Connection angled clean up brush

I normally only use Gold Foil for stamping, but I am really impressed with the finish it gives.  Foil effect polishes are notorious for this, but there were hardly any brushstrokes.  Over my normal basecoat at the moment of Nailtiques, opaque in one, but I preferred the finish of two coats. I’ll have to pick up a backup!

Gold foil polish and stamping created this Gustav Klimt nail art

I stamped the design inspired by Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, and I tried to reference the additional colours from Gustav Klimt’s work.  Primarily white, but I was drawn by the scarlet red squares to the left of her face.

Using the tiny Winstonia nail art brushes, I filled in a few of the squares.  Only a few on each nail (it was late!) but you could do as many as you want.  The dress in the painting actually has a lot of white and blue blocks, so there’s plenty of scope to change it up.

Gold, black, red and white for easing into Christmas nail art

I sealed the design in with a coat of Seche Vite, and it was all done!

The history of this portrait has a fascinating history, including what inspired Klimt and his extensive preparatory sketches.  The two portraits of Adele were stolen by the Nazis, but they were eventually returned to her family.

Red and white on gold with the unmistakable outlines of Klimt

Gustav Klimt nail art

This design is the perfect way to ease into Christmas colours, before the full on snowflake, sweater, and reindeer nails come out.  The gold, red and white is a nod to the season without going overboard!

Klimt nail art by Keely’s Nails on Pinterest

Do check out the Gustav Klimt gallery site here, and tell me what your favourite piece of art is in the comments below – I’d love to hear what inspires you and why…