The present drawings are studies for figures in the Klimt paintings Jurisprudence and Philosophy, from the series which has become known as the Faculty Paintings. Commissioned in 1894 for the ceiling of the great hall of University of Vienna, Klimt and contemporary artist Franz Matsch were asked to provide a series of large paintings based on the theme "Victory of Light over Darkness". Surrounding the central panel designed by Matsch were to be four smaller compositions dedicated to the Faculties of Classical Learning: Philosophy, Medicine, Jurisprudence (which were to be executed by Klimt) and Theology (by Matsch). The resulting images were incredibly controversial, particularly the works by Klimt, with critics and the state finding the presentation to be shocking and indecent. The Faculty Paintings would not go on display in the University, and after years of drama and controversy, all three paintings were tragically destroyed by a fire during the Second World War.
Klimt described the painting Philosophy, the first of the series to be completed and whose unveiling led to the controversy: “On the left a group of figures, the beginning of life, fruition, decay. On the right, the globe as mystery. Emerging below, a figure of light: knowledge.”