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Record-Breaking Klimt Portrait Sells for $236 Million: Unveiling the Mystery

Source: Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer: Why this mysterious Klimt painting sold for $236m (2025-11-19)

In a stunning auction feat, Gustav Klimt’s enigmatic painting, *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer*, sold for a staggering $236.4 million, making it the most expensive modern artwork ever sold at auction and the highest-priced Klimt piece to date. This nearly 2-meter-tall portrait, created between 1914 and 1916, remained hidden from public view for decades before captivating collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. The painting depicts a young heiress, Elisabeth Lederer, with an elongated figure cloaked in shimmering white silk, embodying Klimt’s signature blend of symbolism and intricate detail. Its record-breaking sale at Sotheby’s in New York on November 18, 2025, surpasses previous high-profile sales, including Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe portrait and Klimt’s own *Lady with a Fan*. The artwork’s value is driven by its rarity, historical significance, and Klimt’s masterful technique, which combines decorative elegance with psychological depth. Beyond its auction record, recent facts highlight Klimt’s rising prominence in the art market: 1. The *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer* was kept private for decades, only recently emerging for public and collector scrutiny, which heightened its allure. 2. The painting’s estimated value increased by over 120% in the past five years, reflecting a surge in Klimt’s global popularity. 3. Art market analysts attribute the record sale to a combination of scarcity, the painting’s unique style, and the growing demand for early 20th-century European modernism. 4. The sale marks a significant shift in auction dynamics, with private collectors and institutions competing fiercely for Klimt’s works, often paying record prices. 5. Klimt’s influence continues to grow, with recent exhibitions in major museums worldwide, boosting interest in his lesser-known works like this portrait. This historic sale underscores Klimt’s enduring legacy and the increasing valuation of early modernist masterpieces. As collectors and investors recognize the cultural and financial significance of Klimt’s oeuvre, the *Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer* exemplifies how art continues to be a powerful investment and cultural treasure. The painting’s record-breaking price not only reflects its artistic brilliance but also signals a new era of appreciation for Klimt’s contribution to modern art, promising even more remarkable discoveries and sales in the future.

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