Johanna Staude

Portrait of Johanna Staude (1917–1918) is an unfinished painting by Gustav Klimt, depicting Johanna Staude (née Widlicka; 16 February 1883 – 2 July 1967), an Austrian divorcée who also modeled for Egon Schiele. She described her occupation as language teacher, and later, as a painter, although no works of her own are known. The painting was acquired by the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in 1963. The portrait prominently features a blouse made of the Blätter (Leaves) fabric designed by textile artist Martha Alber of the Wiener Werkstätte. Efn|Some sources describe the outfit as a "dress". A more critical interpretation of Johanna Staude by curator Kirk Varnedoe in 1986 described her as "uncharacteristically disheveled" and "numbly distraught".

Biography

Born in Vienna in 1883, Johanna Widlicka was the sister of the academic painters Leopold and Anton Widlicka, and opera singer Richard Widlicka. She may have also posed nude for a study for The Girlfriends.

According to Klimt biographer Christian M. Nebehay, Erich Lederer recounted that Staude had asked Klimt why he had not finished her portrait, particularly around the mouth. His reply was, "Because then you will never come to the studio again."