A Gustav Klimt portrait has shattered modern art records. The piece sold for an astounding $236.4 million. This momentous sale took place at Sotheby’s in New York. The intense bidding lasted for a total of 20 minutes. The painting is titled Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer.
The Historic Sale and Record
This incredible sum sets a new high for modern art pieces. The previous record was held by Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe. That portrait sold for $195 million back in 2022. The new sale cements Klimt’s place in art history. Sotheby’s has not revealed the buyer’s identity. This transaction has captured global attention.
The Story Behind the Canvas
The Gustav Klimt portrait is a striking, 6-foot-tall piece. It was painted between 1914 and 1916. The subject is Elisabeth Lederer, a member of a wealthy Viennese family. The portrait shows her wearing an East Asian emperor’s cloak. This artwork is one of two full-length Klimt portraits still held privately. It depicts a life of luxury before 1938. In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria.
A Life Saved by Art
This Gustav Klimt portrait is more than just a painting. It played a role in saving its Jewish subject’s life. The Third Reich looted the entire Lederer art collection. They left the family portraits untouched. They considered these pieces “too Jewish” to steal.
To survive, Elisabeth Lederer fabricated a story. She claimed that Klimt was her biological father. Klimt was not Jewish and died in 1918. The artist spent years working on her meticulous portrait. This detailed work helped her claim. With help, she got a document confirming her descent from Klimt. This allowed her to stay safe in Vienna. She remained there until her death from illness in 1944. The portrait’s significance is profound.
Artistic Legacy Endures
The painting’s survival is also remarkable. It was kept separate from other Klimt works. Many other pieces burned in a fire at an Austrian castle. This Gustav Klimt portrait continues its incredible journey. It now holds a spectacular auction record.
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