Gustav Klimt Portrait Takes the Title of Most Expensive Work of Modern Art Ever Sold | Sothebys

Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece ‘Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer)’ just made auction history, becoming the most valuable work of modern art ever sold at $236.4 million.

The star lot from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection sparked a 19-minute bidding battle inside #SothebysNewYork’s Breuer Building. Watch the action unfold as auctioneer Oliver Barker takes to the rostrum for the historic sale.

This full-length portrait — shimmering with East Asian motifs, Fauvist color, and Vienna high-society elegance — is the first of three Klimt oil masterpieces in tonight’s auction. They show Klimt at his best: jewel-like meadows, symphonies of color, and bold compositions, all hallmarks of his iconic portraits.

The white-glove Leonard A. Lauder, Collector Evening Auction totaled $527.5 million, with 100% lots sold. The New York Sales continue at Sotheby's this week.


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