VIENNA (AP) — A portrait of a young woman by Gustav Klimt that was long believed to be lost was sold at an auction in Vienna on Wednesday for 30 million euros ($32 million).
The Austrian modernist artist started work on the “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” in 1917, the year before he died, and it is one of his last works. Bidding started at 28 million euros, and the sale price was at the lower end of an expected range of 30-50 million euros. The buyer wasn’t identified.
The Im Kinsky auction house said that “a painting of such rarity, artistic significance, and value has not been available on the art market in Central Europe for decades.”
The intensely colored painting was auctioned on behalf of the current owners, Austrian private citizens whose names weren’t released, and the legal heirs of Adolf and Henriette Lieser, one of whom is believed to have commissioned the painting. It’s not entirely clear which member of the Lieser family was the model.
Macron takes part in charity soccer game, showing off sporting prowess
VOX POPULI: Sudden death of Navalny shows dangers of the truth in Russia
Luke Littler's Premier League darts rival Michael van Gerwen, 34, says the 17
China floods: Beijing records heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years
Car dealership to cut 250 jobs and close 16 sites just months after being taken over by a US firm
VOX POPULI: Seven years on, the Moritomo Gakuen scandal still unexplained
Thousands of Russians join Navalny
Coronavirus China update: China's funeral homes overcrowded amid COVID
Biden administration is announcing plans for up to 12 lease sales for offshore wind energy
Winston Peters discusses Gaza ceasefire with UN Secretary
Judge to probe corruption accusation against wife of Spain's leader filed by right
VOX POPULI: Sudden death of Navalny shows dangers of the truth in Russia