• Hyunmi Park, Dai Hyun Kim, Daeun Kwak, Hwamin Lee, and Im Joo Rhyu.
• Department of Medical Education, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
• J. Korean Med. Sci. 2025 Feb 10; 40 (5): e19e19.

BackgroundThis study investigates the hypothesis that the red, doughnut-shaped discs in Gustav Klimt's iconic painting 'The Kiss' represent red blood cells (RBCs). The purpose is to explore the artistic and anatomical significance of these elements, examining how Klimt may have integrated contemporary scientific discoveries into his work to convey deeper symbolic meanings.MethodsThis interdisciplinary study employed a combination of medical and art history approaches, including biographical analysis, literature review and a questionnaire survey to assess viewer's perceptions of the red discs in 'The Kiss.' The survey compared responses to the original painting with those to an experimentally altered version, where the red discs were removed, with the objective of determining the significance of these red discs in the artwork. The survey was conducted among 300 visitors at the Ulsan International Art Fair. Among the visitors, 69.3% of the participants were female, and the most common age group was 30-49 years old.ResultsHistorical research and literature analysis revealed that the red disc-shaped patterns on the woman's dress in Klimt's painting closely resemble RBCs as depicted in early 20th-century scientific literature and encyclopedias. This suggests that Klimt, likely influenced by his interactions with medical scientists, intentionally incorporated contemporary scientific imagery into his artwork. The survey results indicated that 86.7% of participants recognized the painting as 'The Kiss,' demonstrating high familiarity with the piece. Comparisons between the original and altered versions of the painting revealed that viewers perceived notable differences in feeling, color perception, mood, and lighting.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that Klimt intentionally incorporated RBC-like motifs into his paintings, using them not only to convey anatomical symbolism and emotional depth but also as dynamic elements within a mosaic pattern. These red elements energize not only the female figure in 'The Kiss' but the entire composition. Klimt's work reveals his skill in merging scientific concepts with visual and emotional expression, showcasing an innovative approach to embedding complex medical and emotional meanings through the use of symbolic imagery.© 2025 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

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