One of the last portraits created by the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was sold at auction this Tuesday for 85.3 million pounds (98.7 million euros), thus reaching a record for an auctioned work of art. in Europe.
Sold to a Hong Kong collector for more than 65 million pounds (75.2 million euros), the painting “Lady with a Fan” thus surpassed the previous record, of the sculpture “Walking Man I”, by Alberto Giacometti, also Sold at Sotheby’s in 2010.
“After a 10-minute bidding battle between four customers on the phone and present in the room, the painting achieved a new record for a work of art in Europe and also for Gustav Klimt. The result is also the second highest value ever paid for a portrait at auction,” Sotheby’s said.
The painting is considered to be the last portrait Klimt completed before his death.
Representing a woman of unknown identity, the painting brings together all the technical values and creative exuberance that define the great works of the painter, highlighted the international auction house.
By this time, Klimt had begun more expressive works, with more playful patterns, colors, and shapes—such as flowers and dragons—in a style influenced by contemporary artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, and Gauguin.
Source: TSF
