Portrait of Max Klinger

Max Klinger's Most Famous Paintings: All 100, Ranked

Updated oktober 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 281 works by Max Klinger in our catalogue

In short

The Max Klinger painting most people know is The death peeing. Right after it come The Isle of the Dead and Presa. Out of 281 works by Max Klinger in our catalogue, these 100 are the best known. Each one comes with its year, its museum and a short note on what makes it stand out.

1857 – 1920, Leipzig Symbolism Most works: Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke

Max Klinger's top 10: the pieces everyone knows

1
The death peeing by Max Klinger

The death peeing

Painting

The air hangs heavy near the riverbank where a skeletal figure stands, stripped of the terrifying dignity often assigned to the Grim Reaper. This figure, a personification of death, occupies the shoreline with a startlingly mundane presence. He stands with legs apart, facing the water, engaged in the most basic of biological functions. The act of urination into the stream demystifies the specter, pulling the concept of mortality away from…

2
The Isle of the Dead by Max Klinger

The Isle of the Dead

Painting

The Isle of the Dead emerges from the vision of Max Klinger, a German artist who leaves a profound mark on the landscape of late 19th-century thought. Born in Leipzig in 1857, Klinger moves through a world of shifting aesthetics, eventually passing away in 1920. In this specific work, titled The Isle of the Dead, he captures a moment that feels suspended in a quiet, heavy stillness.

3
Presa by Max Klinger

Presa

Lithograph

The artwork presents a monochrome scene rendered in grayscale, utilizing a range of black, white, and gray tones. At the bottom center of the frame, a reclining nude female figure is positioned as the primary focal point. Above her, a large group of men in formal attire occupies the upper portion of the composition. These figures are partially obscured by shadow, creating a sense of depth through overlapping forms. The…

4
Y sin embargo! by Max Klinger

Y sin embargo!

Graphite

Max Klinger, born in Leipzig in 1857, produced Y sin embargo! as part of a career that bridged the transition from Realism to Symbolism. The artist, who died in 1920, was a significant figure in German art, known for his ability to move beyond mere visual representation to explore the psychological and the subconscious. This specific work reflects his interest in the intersection of the human form and the natural…

Keep exploring Max Klinger: 11 to 100

11At the Beach (1890) by Max KlingerAt the Beach1890 · Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke 12Portrait of a Roman Woman on a Flat Roof in Rome (1891) by Max KlingerPortrait of a Roman Woman on a Flat Roof in Rome1891 · Städel Museum 13Christ in Olympus (1897) by Max KlingerChrist in Olympus1897 14Female Nude (1910) by Max KlingerFemale Nude1910 15Bathing Women (1912) by Max KlingerBathing Women1912 16A legation by Max KlingerA legation 17Plague by Max KlingerPlague 18Workers at a House Construction (1889) by Max KlingerWorkers at a House Construction1889 19Seaside Idyl by Max KlingerSeaside IdylBavarske državne slikopisne zbirke 20Female Study Head by Max KlingerFemale Study Head 21Portrait of a Gentleman by Max KlingerPortrait of a Gentleman 22Cupid by Max KlingerCupid 23Salvation by Max KlingerSalvation 24The source by Max KlingerThe source 25An Max Klinger by Max KlingerAn Max Klinger 26untitled (336) by Max Klingeruntitled (336) 27untitled (1870) by Max Klingeruntitled (1870) 28untitled (5707) by Max Klingeruntitled (5707) 29untitled (7927) by Max Klingeruntitled (7927) 30untitled (4077) by Max Klingeruntitled (4077) 31untitled (5205) by Max Klingeruntitled (5205) 32untitled (4640) by Max Klingeruntitled (4640) 33untitled (1790) by Max Klingeruntitled (1790) 34untitled (7957) by Max Klingeruntitled (7957) 35untitled (1515) by Max Klingeruntitled (1515) 36untitled (1160) by Max Klingeruntitled (1160) 37untitled (5386) by Max Klingeruntitled (5386) 38untitled (5714) by Max Klingeruntitled (5714) 39untitled (9844) by Max Klingeruntitled (9844) 40untitled (3585) by Max Klingeruntitled (3585) 41untitled (5586) by Max Klingeruntitled (5586) 42untitled (3254) by Max Klingeruntitled (3254) 43untitled (4823) by Max Klingeruntitled (4823) 44untitled (5191) by Max Klingeruntitled (5191) 45untitled (1133) by Max Klingeruntitled (1133) 46Venus in the sea by Max KlingerVenus in the sea 47Cupido by Max KlingerCupido 48untitled (3590) by Max Klingeruntitled (3590) 49untitled (7159) by Max Klingeruntitled (7159) 50Angustias by Max KlingerAngustias 51Old love. initial stamps by Max KlingerOld love. initial stamps 52untitled (5140) by Max Klingeruntitled (5140) 53Scene by Max KlingerScene 54Venus and Mercury by Max KlingerVenus and Mercury 55psyche bathing by Max Klingerpsyche bathing 56Phriam And Thisbe I by Max KlingerPhriam And Thisbe I 57untitled (2692) by Max Klingeruntitled (2692) 58Abduction by Max KlingerAbduction 59Venus and Psyche by Max KlingerVenus and Psyche 60Zephyr carrying his sisters by Max KlingerZephyr carrying his sisters 61The wedding party of Psyche by Max KlingerThe wedding party of Psyche 62Sister jumping from a rock by Max KlingerSister jumping from a rock 63Psyche and Ceres by Max KlingerPsyche and Ceres 64Love, death and extramundos by Max KlingerLove, death and extramundos 65untitled (9745) by Max Klingeruntitled (9745) 66Mother I by Max KlingerMother I 67Pan comforting Psyche by Max KlingerPan comforting Psyche 68untitled (4174) by Max Klingeruntitled (4174) 69Psyche crossing the Acheron by Max KlingerPsyche crossing the Acheron 70Desire by Max KlingerDesire 71Psyche on a rock by Max KlingerPsyche on a rock 72Jupiter and Venus by Max KlingerJupiter and Venus 73Psyche and Arundo by Max KlingerPsyche and Arundo 74Farmer planting misery by Max KlingerFarmer planting misery 75The childhood of Amor by Max KlingerThe childhood of Amor 76Satire by Max KlingerSatire 77Intermezzo 1 by Max KlingerIntermezzo 1 78Phriam And Thisbe II by Max KlingerPhriam And Thisbe II 79Charon by Max KlingerCharon 80untitled (1999) by Max Klingeruntitled (1999) 81Time and glory by Max KlingerTime and glory 82Psyche on the road to Tartarus by Max KlingerPsyche on the road to Tartarus 83Venus presents Psyche the Love by Max KlingerVenus presents Psyche the Love 84Titan by Max KlingerTitan 85Psyche venerated by the people by Max KlingerPsyche venerated by the people 86Psyche and Venus by Max KlingerPsyche and Venus 87Parade by Max KlingerParade 88Death knight by Max KlingerDeath knight 89The priestesses of Venus by Max KlingerThe priestesses of Venus 90untitled (8812) by Max Klingeruntitled (8812) 91Rockfall by Max KlingerRockfall 92Naked woman under a tree by Max KlingerNaked woman under a tree 93Cold Hand by Max KlingerCold Hand 94Captive by Max KlingerCaptive 95violation by Max Klingerviolation 96The great goddess by Max KlingerThe great goddess 97untitled (547) by Max Klingeruntitled (547) 98Psyche and Juno by Max KlingerPsyche and Juno 99Night 1 by Max KlingerNight 1 100untitled (2269) by Max Klingeruntitled (2269)

Max Klinger's paintings, period by period

What Max Klinger painted most

The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.

Where you can see Max Klinger's paintings

The 4 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Max Klinger Paintings from this list
Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke, MünchenBavarske državne slikopisne zbirke München 2 At the Beach, Seaside Idyl
Alte Nationalgalerie, BerlinAlte Nationalgalerie Berlin 3 Venus in the Shell Carriage. Part of the Wall Decoration of Villa Albers in Berlin-Steglitz
Narodna galerija v Pragi, PragaNarodna galerija v Pragi Praga 1 Evening
Städel Museum, FrankfurtStädel Museum Frankfurt 1 Portrait of a Roman Woman on a Flat Roof in Rome

One famous Max Klinger piece for every decade

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see its standout piece.

Max Klinger paintings: what people want to know

What painting is Max Klinger best known for?See the answer

Top of the list is The death peeing. Right behind it: The Isle of the Dead and Presa.

Which 10 Max Klinger paintings are the most famous?See the answer

The death peeing, The Isle of the Dead, Presa, Y sin embargo!, Rescue, Mermaid holding a shell up, the philosopher, Venus in the Shell Carriage. Part of the Wall Decoration of Villa Albers in Berlin-Steglitz, Evening and Play in the meadow. You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.

How many Max Klinger works are there?See the answer

We have 281 works by Max Klinger in our catalogue, dated 1879 to 1912.

Which museums have Max Klinger's best-known paintings?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke (München), Alte Nationalgalerie (Berlin) and Narodna galerija v Pragi (Praga). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

When were Max Klinger's most famous pieces painted?See the answer

In 1880s, more than any other time: 3 of the 100 pieces on this page date from then, Venus in the Shell Carriage. Part of the Wall Decoration of Villa Albers in Berlin-Steglitz among them.

What are the oldest and newest famous paintings by Max Klinger?See the answer

The earliest piece here is Evening (1879); the most recent is Bathing Women (1912).

What did Max Klinger paint most?See the answer

Gods (7), Symbolic imagery (6) and Landscape (4), out of the 100 pieces on this page.

What did Max Klinger usually paint with?See the answer

Painting, used in 2 of the 100 pieces on this page.

Which art movement is Max Klinger linked to?See the answer

Symbolism, as you can see in the pieces on this page.

What can you see by Max Klinger at the Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke?See the answer

You can see 2 of the pieces on this page at the Bavarske državne slikopisne zbirke, München, including At the Beach and Seaside Idyl.

Can I order a Max Klinger reproduction for my home?See the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.

Meet Max Klinger

Svet Maxa Klingerja: Pionir Simbolizma

Max Klinger, rojen v Leipzigu leta 1857, se je izkazal za ključno figuro, ki je premostila prepad med realizmom in nastajajočim svetom simbolizma. Njegova umetniška pot ni bila zaznamovana z nemudnim priznanjem, temveč s postopnim razvijanjem edinstvene vizije – potopitvijo v psihološke globine, ki bi močno vplivala na moderno umetnost. Klingerjevo zgodnje izobraževanje na Akademiji za likovno umetnost v Karlsruheju pod vodstvom Karla Gussowa mu je zagotovilo trdne temelje tradicionalnih tehnik, vendar pa ga je prav fascinacija z gravurami umetnikov kot sta Menzel in Goya resnično razplamtila. Ti mojstri so demonstrirali moč grafičnega ustvarjanja za posredovanje ne le vizualne reprezentacije, temveč tudi narativne kompleksnosti in čustvene intenzivnosti – lastnosti, ki jih je Klinger spretno uporabljal skozi celotno kariero. Ni se zadovoljil s preprostim prikazovanjem sveta takšnega, kot se zdi; iskal je razkriti njegove skrite tokove, anksioznost in sanje.

Od realizma k simbolični globini

Klingerjeva umetniška evolucija je bila zaznamovana s premično od naravnega realizma proti bolj subjektivnemu in simboličnemu jeziku. Sprva so njegovo delo odražala prevladujočo estetiko tistega časa – podrobne upodobitve vsakdanjega življenja. Vendar se je ta faza izkazala za le stopničko. Preobrat je nastal z njegovo serijo gravur, Parafraza o najdbi rokavice (1881). Ta ambiciozni projekt, ki obsega deset plošč, ni bil dobesedna ilustracija dogodka, temveč fragmentirano, sanjsko raziskovanje hrepenenja, izgube in kompleksnosti človeških odnosov. Rokavica sama je postala močan simbol – relikvija prežeta s spominom in nostalgijo. Ta serija je Klingerja uveljavila kot vodilnega predstavnika simbolističnega gibanja, saj je demonstriral njegovo sposobnost pretvoriti navadne predmete v nosilce globokega psihološkega vpogleda. Ni ga zanimalo le prikazati, kako stvari izgledajo; želel je posredovati, kako se *počutijo*, kaj predstavljajo na globlji, podzavestni ravni.

Kiparstvo, grafika in raziskovanje mita

Klingerjeva umetniška produkcija je bila izjemno raznolika, obsegala pa je slikarstvo, kiparstvo in grafiko – čeprav je prav v svetu grafične umetnosti dosegel svoj najtrajnejši pečat. Njegove gravure so prepoznane po natančni tehniki, dramatični uporabi svetlobe in sence ter strašljivih podob. Se ni bal lotiti zahtevnih tem – smrtnosti, seksualnosti in temnejših vidikov človeške psihe. Poleg Parafraze o najdbi rokavice dela kot so njegove upodobitve faustovskih paktov in mitoloških prizorov razkrivajo fascinacijo s prvinskimi narativami in univerzalnimi človeškimi boji. Njegovo kiparstvo, čeprav manj obsežno kot gravure, je bilo enako ambiciozno. Odličen primer je njegova monumentalna instalacija v čast Beethovnu na Dunajski sekcesiji leta 1902 – močno pričevanje o skladateljevem geniju in pogumna izjava umetniške inovacije. Klingerjeva kiparstva so bila pogosto namerno nemirna, kar je izzivalo konvencionalne predstave o lepoti in obliki.

Zapuščina in vpliv: Most do sodobnosti

Vpliv Maxa Klingerja se je razširil daleč onkraj njegovega življenjskega časa. Utiral je pot ekspresionizmu, surrealizmu in drugim avantgardnim gibanjem, ki so si prizadevala raziskovati notranji svet človeške izkušnje. Njegov poudarek na simbolizmu, psihološki globini in subjektivni interpretaciji se je odmeval med umetniki, ki so se spoprijemali z anksioznostjo in negotovostmi moderne dobe. Raziskovanje sanjskih stanj in podzavestnih želja je predvidevalo delo poznejših surrealistov kot sta Salvador Dalí in René Magritte. Tudi v zadnjem času Klingerjeve ideje še vedno navdihujejo sodobne umetnike. Leta 1991 je moskovski umetniški kolektiv Inspection Medical Hermeneutics ustvaril “Klingerjeve škatle”, instalacijo neposredno navdihnjeno z njegovim delom – dokaz za trajno moč njegove vizije. Ostaja ključna figura pri razumevanju prehoda od akademskih tradicij devetnajstega stoletja do radikalnih eksperimentov dvajsetega stoletja. Njegova umetnost nas vabi, da se soočimo s svojimi lastnimi sencami, se potopimo v skrivnosti človeške psihe in prepoznamo globoko lepoto, ki jo najdemo tudi v najtemnejših kotičkih obstoja.

Pomembna dela in nadaljnja relevantnost

Poleg slavne Parafraze o najdbi rokavice Klingerjevo delo ponuja številna pomembna dela. Slikarske stvaritve kot je “Karl Haberstock”, ki prikazuje njegov vpliv na sočasnike, in dela, razstavljena v zbirkah Kunstsammlungen und Museen Augsburg, dokazujejo njegov širok vpliv. Njegove monocromne fotografije, kot so "Dnevi marca III", z zanimivimi opažanji neznanih letečih predmetov, razkrivajo pripravljenost sprejeti nenavadno in raziskovati meje zaznave. Klingerjeva umetnost ni samo zgodovinska; ostaja izjemno relevantna danes. V dobi, ki jo zaznamuje negotovost in hitre spremembe, njegovo raziskovanje psiholoških tem – anksioznosti, odtujenosti in iskanja smisla – še vedno odmeva pri občinstvu po vsem svetu. Njegova zapuščina je opomnik, da resnična umetniška inovacija ne le ponavlja realnost, ampak razkriva njene skrite globine in izziva naše predpostavke o svetu okoli nas.

All 281 works by Max Klinger →