Gustav Klimt Archives

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.

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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.

A Historic Art Auction

A painting by Gustav Klimt recently sold for a record sum. The Klimt portrait sale reached $236.4 million. This total includes all associated fees. It makes the piece the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. Furthermore, it is now the most expensive work of modern art sold at auction. The historic sale took place at Sotheby’s.

Details of the Masterpiece

The celebrated artwork is titled Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer. The Austrian painter created the six-foot-tall piece between 1914 and 1916. It depicts Elisabeth Lederer. She was the young heiress and daughter of Klimt’s patrons. Lederer is shown draped elegantly in a fine Chinese robe. This striking composition is a testament to Klimt’s iconic style. It captures a deep sense of dignity and wealth.

Intense Bidding War

The auction at Sotheby’s on Tuesday night in New York was dramatic. Six determined bidders competed fiercely for the painting. The bidding battle lasted an impressive 20 minutes. This extended competition drove the final price soaring past initial estimates. Sotheby’s officials declined to identify the successful buyer. The identity of the new owner remains private for now. This massive figure confirms the enduring value of Klimt portrait sale prices.

A History of Survival

The portrait possesses a remarkable and dramatic history. The Nazis originally looted Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer. It later survived a devastating fire. This fire occurred during the chaos of the Second World War. However, the painting was recovered in 1948. It was returned to Elisabeth Lederer’s brother, Erich Lederer. He kept it for most of his life. He finally sold the painting in 1983.

The Lauder Connection

In 1985, the painting entered a significant private collection. It became part of the collection owned by Leonard A. Lauder. He was an heir to the Estée Lauder fortune. Lauder often displayed the artwork prominently in his Fifth Avenue home in New York. He occasionally lent it to galleries for public display. Lauder sadly passed away in June at the age of 92. This recent Klimt portrait sale concludes its time in the Lauder collection. It marks a new chapter for this priceless survivor. The auction’s success demonstrates the robust global demand for Klimt’s work.

Gustav Klimt

Record-Breaking Klimt Portrait Sells for $236 Million