Gustav Klimt was an Austrian symbolist painter who was active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his paintings, murals, sketches, and other art objects. His most famous works include The Kiss, Judith I, and The Tree of Life. Klimt's work was heavily influenced by Japanese art and Byzantine mosaics. He was a leader in the Vienna Secession movement, which sought to break away from traditional academic art. Klimt's work is characterized by its use of gold leaf, intricate patterns, and eroticism.