A Night in Vienna

Read the First Chapter from my New Book

CHAPTER ONE: The Kiss

On this winter day, Vienna is alive with celebration. The entire city wears a festive look. Christmas trees adorn vibrant, music-filled streets. Holiday lights shine from store windows, casting a warm glow on the faces of people walking past. Joyful chatter permeates the wintry air.

Far from the bustling streets and outdoor markets, the atmosphere is very different for one woman lost in her thoughts, feeling at home inside the elegant Belvedere Gallery. The art gallery is quiet, the mood enchanting. 

Staring out the window, Emma is mesmerized by the pristine landscape covered in blankets of snow. She contemplates the stillness outside, the grey atmosphere, the snow flurries that come and go. The snow-covered lawn and sky have become one, a dividing line between the two nearly impossible to distinguish.

Emma’s love affair with Vienna extends to virtually everything about the Austrian capital city on the Danube River. As an art historian and a classical pianist, she has always gravitated to its music and art, the exquisite architecture, and the wonderful people—really, everything about this European cultural center that brought Mozart and Beethoven to this world. 

This isn’t her first visit to the Belvedere. Emma had been here many times, walking down the halls, studying the artwork that grace the walls of this 18th-century, Baroque-style Vienna jewel, one of the oldest museums on the planet. She has perused its many galleries time and time again, noting the paintbrush strokes and special techniques that define each artist and exemplify an art movement.

But this visit feels different somehow, though she doesn’t know why. The winter atmosphere may be putting her in a contemplative mood.

Stepping back from the window, she walks across the stylish interior to study portraits by early 20th-century Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. She pauses at one of her favorite paintings and focuses her attention on the life-size couple on its canvas. Painted in 1908, The Kiss draws Emma in. Even after many years she is still hypnotized by this evocative painting. At the age of 68, she continues to be a hopeless romantic. To her, The Kiss embodies a true, pure expression of love—a mystical blend of carnal and spiritual love.

Lost in her world, she suddenly realizes how eerily quiet the museum has become. How long has she been standing here, reflecting on this work of art? As she continues to gaze at the lovers on the canvas, she senses someone walking up and pausing next to her. Her body freezes from being startled, her heart palpitates, both involuntarily.

Emma turns to see who it is, and she almost blushes when her eyes meet his. She does not recognize the tall man with a full head of dark blonde-grayish hair, piercing blue eyes, chiseled face, and a somewhat intense demeanor, but he certainly captures her attention. For a moment her breath is taken away. A long pause that feels like an eternity stretches between them, and in that silence, it’s evident the two feel the pull of some kind of connection, the type that only kindred spirits tend to experience. 

The striking gentleman smiles and reaches out to initiate a handshake. His eyes steal a quick glance at her long, copper hair with wisps of gray before settling warmly on her hazel eyes. As she grasps his hand, she feels an electric spark of chemistry pass between them.

“Hello, I’m Poul,” he introduces himself in a quiet, velvety voice. “I am from Denmark.”

“Hi, I’m Emma,” she responds, feeling at ease, immediately wanting to know more about him. “Nice to meet you.”

“Ahh, an American.”

With a little smile and a twinkle in her eye, Emma replies, “Yes, I’m from California!”

Poul grins warmly. “As soon as Americans speak, we Europeans know who you are,” he teases gently. “So, what brings you to Vienna?”

“I am an art historian,” Emma shares, “and currently I’m writing an article on Klimt’s The Kiss. What about you—what has brought you here?”

“I am an attorney who tries to find art that was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. I have visited Vienna a number of times.”

Emma’s eyes widen in surprise. “That’s fascinating. What important work. I have always been intrigued by how stolen art is recovered. I would love to hear more about what you do.”

“Yes, I can share,” he responds. “But since we are in front of this impressive work, tell me, what does this painting, The Kiss, speak to you?”

Talking about a work of art is always difficult for Emma. She much prefers writing about it, which comes naturally. But as an art historian and someone who treasures art in all its expressions, she doesn’t want to miss this opportunity to share her thoughts. Shyly, she begins her assessment of this famous work that has touched so many hearts across several generations.

“Well, I would say that every time I look at The Kiss I am filled with a melting warmth. The lovers literally melt together with no shame. Look at how Klimt depicts them deeply passionate about each other. They hold each other closely, intimately.

“I am intrigued by what they’re wearing, the elaborate patterns on their clothing, the nature crowns—one made of flowers, the other made of vines. I lose myself in the details of the piece, from the rectangles and swirls on the man’s robe, to the concentric circles on the woman’s dress, and on to the abundance of flowers that mirror the lovers’ vibrancy.”

Now fully invested with no trace of nervousness left, Emma continues, her eyes studying the painting closely.

“There is a tangible energy between the two. They are in complete harmony with one another. Can you feel it?”Poul gives a gentle nod.

“The entire composition is so luxuriant and sensual,” she proceeds. “The pair embrace at the edge of a patch of colorful wildflowers that accentuate passion, tenderness … he kisses her cheek fondly. She closes her eyes in contentment. This is a timeless representation of a pair perfectly at ease with each other. Klimt has expertly captured two people in a moment of undeniable, blissful love.”

Emma ends her eloquent description, not completely sure where her words had come from. They had simply poured from the depths of her soul.

A tangible silence falls upon her and Poul. Looking from the painting to him, Emma sees tears filling his eyes. He does not try to hide them. Emma does not know it, but this is the very first time in Poul’s life that he’s experienced an all-encompassing sense of being at one with a painting at Emma’s depth. 

Looking straight into her eyes, he whispers, “I have never heard one describe Thee Kiss with such depth, such genuine passion. Your heart is in your words.”

The two stand with eyes locked on one another. Time loses meaning—does a minute pass, or just a few seconds? It doesn’t matter. An unspoken eternity holds them together in that moment, feelings communicating freely in wordless reverie.

Looking away, Emma glances out the window. Reluctantly returning to the present moment, she realizes she has only a short span of daylight left for her next outing.