Wednesday evening, Gustav Klimt’s “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” achieved the highest price ever paid for an artwork in Austria at auction.
The successful auction by the Viennese Auction House im Kinsky saw the painting, which has been thought lost for many decades, being bought for 30 Mio Euro (35 mio Euro including buyer’s premium) by a Hong Kong bidder, represented by Patti Wong & Associates.
The recovery of the lady’s portrait dating from the late creative phase of the Art Nouveau star Gustav Klimt was a world sensation when it was presented in January this year. Accordingly, the international interest in the sale was enormous, with many attendees and media outlets from all around the world present on the auction day in the im Kinsky’s beautiful historic auction room.
“We are really happy with the result, but not surprised really, because it reflects international standards. Having sold top lots from European Art for the past three decades, we have great expertise in these kinds of sale”, explains Claudia Mörth-Gasser, the house’s expert on works by Gustav Klimt.
The „Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” - which is an outstanding lot regarding quality, international importance and value - has been in the most caring of hands since its rediscovery. Its background and history have been thoroughly researched, as well as its provenience and story. The wonderful work has then been presented to international markets and potential buyers.
„We have used our special experience, gained in years of solving problems regarding “looted art”. And also, we know how to act when faced with matters of critical provenience. We are therefore not only thrilled by the successful auction, but equally by the fair and equitable solution reached, according to the Washington principles, in the interest of all engaged parties”, mention im Kinsky Managing Directors Michael Kovacek and Ernst Ploil.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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