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Why not enjoy Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece “The Kiss” as an adult coloring page that will entrance grown-ups, too?
Re-creating its gleaming gold leaf and elegant geometric patterns with colored pencils or metallic pens lets you feel much closer to the original artwork.
This article offers a concise overview of the painting, practical coloring tips, and a free PDF download—all in one place.

What Is the Masterpiece “The Kiss”?

“The Kiss” is an oil-and-gold-leaf canvas Klimt created between 1907 and 1908.
The 180 cm × 180 cm (about 71 × 71 in) square shows lovers locked in an embrace and is celebrated worldwide as the signature work of Klimt’s “Golden Period.”
(Sources: Wikipedia『接吻』, Smarthistory)

Today the painting is housed in Vienna’s Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, where more than a million visitors queue each year for a glimpse.
(Source: ベルヴェデーレ宮殿公式サイト)

Rectangular black-and-gold motifs on the man’s robe contrast with the soft circles and floral patterns on the woman’s dress, symbolizing both difference and harmony between the sexes.
By bathing both background and garments in the same field of gold, Klimt blurs the line between reality and ornament, drawing viewers into a dreamlike space.

Accents of violet, olive green, and other complementary hues make the gold shimmer even more—giving you plenty of scope for creative color choices when you tackle the coloring page.

About the Artist “Klimt”

Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – February 6, 1918) was a Viennese Symbolist painter and a founding member of the Vienna Secession.
His sensuous depictions of women and highly decorative Art Nouveau style earned him international fame.
(Source: Wikipedia “Gustav Klimt”)

During his “Golden Period” (c. 1898 – 1909), he produced a series of lavish gold-leaf works, with “The Kiss” widely considered their crowning achievement.

Even after his sudden passing in 1918, Klimt’s innovative ornamentation influenced successors such as Egon Schiele and continues to inspire contemporary fashion.

Benefits of Adult Coloring

In recent years adult coloring has been dubbed “coloring meditation,” with studies reporting reduced stress and enhanced mindfulness.
A 2020 study found that older adults experienced a significant drop in anxiety after 20 minutes of mandala coloring.
(Source: Healthline)

Psychology Today also notes that the repetitive motion of coloring can serve as self-regulation, calming heart rate and breathing.
(Source: Psychology Today)

Working from a famous artwork lets you combine appreciation with creation, leading to deeper immersion and a stronger sense of accomplishment.

How to Get the Most Out of Adult Coloring

First lay down a light base color, then add highlights with gold or pearl-tone pencils and metallic markers to recreate the golden sheen.

Use a fine pen to keep the man’s clothing angular and geometric, while the woman’s remains curvy and floral—this makes the overall composition stand out.

Add dots of white gel pen at the end for sparkling highlights and extra depth.

Free PDF Download

You can download it here.

Printing Tips

When printing on A4—or US Letter—paper, choose matte or watercolor stock of at least 180 gsm (roughly 65 lb cover) so the sheet stays flat under colored pencils or water-based markers.

In your printer settings, select “Matte Photo Paper” to produce crisp lines and a smoother coloring experience.

Let the ink dry for a few minutes before you start coloring to prevent smudging.

Share Your Finished Piece on Social Media!

Post your creation on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtags #KlimtColoring and #AdultColoring to connect with art lovers worldwide.

The official Belvedere account occasionally features user works, so feel free to tag them, too!

References & Sources

• Wikipedia「接吻」
• Smarthistory “Gustav Klimt, The Kiss”
• ベルヴェデーレ宮殿公式サイト
• Wikipedia “Gustav Klimt”
• Healthline「Benefits of Adult Coloring」
• Psychology Today「Are Adult Coloring Books Actually Helpful?」

First Impressions of the Reinterpreted ‘The Kiss’

This reinterpreted image makes a profound impact. At sunset, on a hill lined with crosses, Klimt is shown painting his own iconic work, ‘The Kiss’. The desolate setting and the artist’s determined expression endow the scene with deep emotion and drama.

About the Original Painting ‘The Kiss’

Title

‘The Kiss’

Author

Gustav Klimt

Year of Production

1907–1908

Historical Background

The Kiss was painted by Gustav Klimt during his “Golden Period”, while he was a leading figure of the Vienna Secession. Active from the late 19th to the early 20th century, the Vienna Secession was a movement that sought new forms in art and design, and Klimt served as a prominent symbol of its ideals. The Kiss explores themes of love and intimacy, distinguished by its lavish decorative elements and symbolic representation.

Key Features

– Gold backgrounds and ornamentation
– Two figures symbolising love
– Mosaic-inspired patterns
– A seemingly flat yet richly textured appearance

Key Points of the Reinterpretation

In this reimagined version, the backdrop painted by Klimt takes centre stage. On a hill dotted with crosses, The Kiss continues to convey themes of love and intimacy, but is now imbued with a sense of melancholy and introspection. Furthermore, the interplay of sunset light and shade heightens the solemnity of the overall scene.

Reflections on the Reinterpreted Image

This reinterpretation adds a new layer of depth to the original themes of The Kiss. The crosses on the hill evoke ideas of death, sacrifice, and sorrow. In contrast, Klimt’s two figures stand out as symbols of love and solace. This interplay of opposing motifs introduces an additional emotional dimension to the piece, prompting viewers to contemplate the work more deeply.

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The Value of Reinterpreting Masterpieces and Potential New Meanings

Reinterpreting a masterpiece is a way of breathing new life into an existing work by placing it within a modern context or offering a fresh point of view. In this image, Klimt’s The Kiss grows beyond a mere portrayal of love, extending to themes of life’s transience and the ever-present shadow of mortality. Such reinterpretations invite viewers to engage with both the original painting and its reimagined version, resulting in a deeper, more moving artistic experience.