Klimt's portrait sold at auction for $236.4 million

The famous Austrian painter Gustav Klimt's work titled “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” was sold for 236.4 million US dollars at Sotheby’s auction in New York. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

With this amount, the artwork set a record as the most expensive piece sold in the history of modern art. According to Bloomberg, this piece belonged to the collection of the late billionaire Leonard Lauder, former head of the Estee Lauder company.

The Lauder collection consisted of a total of 24 lots, generating a total revenue of 527.5 million dollars. However, Klimt's painting was recognized as the most successful lot of the evening sale.

Although the starting price of the artwork was 150 million dollars, it was ultimately sold for 236.4 million dollars. The “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” was painted in 1914 and belongs to the late period of Klimt's work.

It depicts 20-year-old Elisabeth Lederer wearing a white dress reminiscent of the robes of Chinese emperors. The portrait was confiscated by the Nazis during World War II but was returned to family members in 1948.

In 1985, Leonard Lauder added this portrait to his personal collection. Today, this piece has become one of the most expensive examples of modern art in the world.

Although Gustav Klimt passed away in 1918, his work continues to be highly valued by art enthusiasts.