Klimt painting second most expensive artwork sold at auction

November 19, 2025

A Gustav Klimt portrait of Elisabeth Lederer achieved $236. 4 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York, becoming the second-highest price ever paid for artwork at auction after Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi. The painting, created between 1914 and 1916, survived Nazi looting during World War Two and a devastating fire before being rescued in 1948.

Who is affected

The anonymous buyer of the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer
Leonard A. Lauder (former owner and seller)
Sotheby's auction house
Six bidders who participated in the auction
The buyer of Maurizio Cattelan's gold toilet sculpture (identified as a famous American brand)
Buyers of other Klimt works from Lauder's collection (Flowering Meadow and Forest Slope at Unterach am Attersee)

What action is being taken

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Why it matters

This sale represents a historic moment in the art market, establishing the portrait as the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction and shattering pre-auction estimates by over $86 million. The record-breaking price demonstrates the enduring value and market demand for Klimt's work, particularly pieces with significant historical provenance including Nazi looting and wartime survival. The sale also highlights the continued strength of the high-end art market and the willingness of collectors to pay unprecedented sums for masterworks by renowned artists.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC