A Klimt for the Ages: Record-Breaking Portrait Redefines the Art Market 🎨

The art world had its own “skyline moment” this November, when Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (1914–16) sold for an astonishing $236.4 million at Sotheby’s in New York.

In one evening, the portrait became:

• The most expensive work of modern art ever sold at auction
• The most expensive artwork ever sold by Sotheby’s
• The second priciest artwork ever sold at auction, trailing only Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi

Not bad for a painting completed more than a century ago. ✨

A 20-Minute Bidding Drama ⏱️

The sale played out as a 20-minute showdown between phone bidders, with Sotheby’s specialists relaying offers in real time. Bidding opened at $130 million and climbed steadily, finally landing at $205 million before fees, with the winning bidder choosing to remain anonymous.

The result eclipsed Klimt’s previous auction record and underscores just how powerful name, rarity, and provenance can be in today’s art market.

Why This Portrait Matters 💫

Elisabeth Lederer was part of Vienna’s influential Lederer family, early champions of Klimt’s work. The portrait reflects Klimt at the height of his powers—ornamental, modern, and psychologically rich—making it a dream piece for top-tier collectors.

In a market that’s increasingly global and highly competitive at the top end, this sale is a clear signal: blue-chip masterpieces still command extraordinary attention—and extraordinary prices.