Danaë (Klimt)

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Danaë is an oil painting by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, created in 1907. The work is a Symbolist piece and measures 77 by 83 cm (30 by 33 in). It was shown at Galerie Würthle in Vienna until the gallery closed in 1995. The painting came from the collection of Hans Dichand (1921–2010) of Vienna and is now owned by his three children. Danaë depicts the myth of Danaë, with Zeus shown as a golden rain falling on Danaë, a symbol of divine love. Danaë is wrapped in a royal purple veil, hinting at her royal status. In Greek myth, Danaë later bears Perseus, who defeats Medusa. Danaë was a popular subject in the early 1900s, and Klimt painted other works from this period, such as Medicine (1900–1907) and Water Snakes I (1904–1907).