Gustav Klimt: Picture 'Portrait of Miss Lieser' (1917), version framed in white and gold colour

Auction proceeds in the double and triple-digit million euro range for works of art have been causing a stir for years. The most recent example is the painting 'Portrait of Miss Lieser' by Gustav Klimt, which was sold for 30 million euros at the 'Auktionshaus im Kinsky' auction house in Vienna. The painting has the potential to become a legend in art history, and not just because of its current purchase price: Klimt began painting it in 1917. This makes it one of the last paintings by the Art Nouveau master. As it is said to have still been in his studio after his death in 1918 and the signature is missing, it is assumed that he still wanted to work on it. It is not entirely clear where the painting has been for the last 100 years or so. For the longest time, it is said to have belonged to a private collection in Austria. Art historians only knew of the painting's existence from photographs. In January 2024, it was announced that it had reappeared as part of an inheritance. At the auction in April, everything happened very quickly. After two and a half minutes, it was sold to a collection in Hong Kong and is now considered the most expensive painting ever auctioned in Austria.Original: 1917, oil on canvas, 140 x 80 cm, privately owned. Edition transferred directly onto artist's canvas using the Fine Art Giclée process and stretched on stretcher frame. Limited edition of 980 copies, numbered, with certificate. Framed in handcrafted, white-gold-coloured solid wood frame. Format approx. 73 x 45 cm (H/W). ars mundi exclusive edition.