Upon presenting his paintings, ‘Philosophy’, ‘Medicine’ and ‘Jurisprudence’, Klimt came under attack for ‘pornography’ and ‘perverted excess’ in the paintings. None of the paintings would go on display in the university.

The paintings were requested for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri, but the Austrian ministry declined, nervous of a negative reaction. Klimt resigned his commission, wishing to keep his work, but the ministry insisted they were already property of the state. It is said that Klimt threatened the removal staff with a shotgun to keep his paintings.

He repaid his advance of 30,000 crowns with the support of one of his major patrons who received ‘Philosophy’. ‘Medicine’ eventually came into the possession of a Jewish family but in 1938 the painting was seized by Germany. After a final exhibition, they were moved to a castle in Lower Austria, for protection.

In May 1945, the paintings are believed to have been destroyed as retreating German SS forces set fire to the castle to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. However, while the castle was gutted, there is no proof that the paintings were destroyed. As far as we know, all that remains now are preparatory sketches and a few photographs. Only one photograph remains of the complete painting of Medicine, taken just before it was destroyed.

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