Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was an Austrian artist, one of the founders of European Art Nouveau. The Beethoven Frieze coin is yet another masterpiece by the artist on sterling silver. Gustav Klimt created this large-scale and elaborate fresco in 1902 for the Vienna Secession exhibition dedicated to Beethoven (and the frieze is dedicated to his Ninth Symphony), leaving no hope for its long life: he painted it with unstable colors on plaster. In addition to paint, the artist used silver and gilding, fragments of mirrors, nails and buttons. The frieze symbolizes "the hopes and aspirations of all humankind" and shows that art leads people "into the ideal realm of pure pleasure, pure happiness and pure love." The embrace is a symbol of man's salvation by woman. It is a kiss for the whole world.