Klimt Portrait: 2nd Highest Auction Price Ever Paid

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klimt Portrait Soars to $236.4 Million, Becoming Second Most Expensive Artwork Ever sold

A stunning portrait by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt achieved $236.4 million at auction in New York on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, solidifying its place as the second most expensive artwork ever sold. The intense bidding war, lasting 20 minutes and involving six participants, centered on “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer,” a captivating depiction of the daughter of Klimt’s primary patron.

A Masterpiece from Klimt’s Golden Period

Painted between 1914 and 1916, the portrait showcases elisabeth Lederer dressed in a striking white imperial Chinese dress, set against a backdrop of a blue tapestry adorned with intricate Asian-inspired motifs. According to a statement released by Sotheby’s, which managed the sale, “Full-length society portraits of this impressive scale and from Klimt’s pinnacle period (1912-17) are exceptionally rare; the majority in major museum collections.” The painting was noted as being one of only two commissioned portraits from this period remaining in private hands.

The sale underscores the enduring appeal and investment value of Klimt’s work,though the identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed. The current record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction is held by “Salvator Mundi,” attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, which fetched $450 million in 2017.

Did you know? – “Salvator Mundi,” the most expensive artwork sold at auction, is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and sold for $450 million in 2017. Source: Christie’s

Lauder Collection Fuels Record-Breaking Auction

The auction wasn’t solely defined by the Klimt masterpiece. Several other works by the artist also saw significant bids, including “Flowering Meadow” for $86 million and “Forest Slope at Unterach am attersee” for $68.3 million. These pieces were part of the esteemed collection of Leonard Lauder, the Estée Lauder cosmetics heir who passed away earlier in 2025. In total, the 24 lots from the Lauder collection generated an impressive $527.5 million.

For Klimt specifically,the previous auction record was held by “lady with a Fan,” which sold for £85.3 million ($108.8 million) in London in 2023.

Pro tip: – Auction prices can fluctuate based on currency exchange rates. “Lady with a Fan” sold for £85.3 million, which was equivalent to $108.8 million at the time of sale in 2023. Source: Sotheby’s

From Golden toilets to Kahlo’s Dreams: A Night of Artistic Extremes

The November 18th auction also featured a surprising and provocative offering: a solid gold toilet by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The fully functional, 18-karat gold fixture, titled “America,” sold for $12.1 million to an unnamed American brand, according to Sotheby’s. This sale is notably noteworthy given the history of the piece, with an earlier version having been stolen from Blenheim Palace in England in 2019 – and never recovered, likely melted down for its material value, despite the conviction of three individuals involved in the theft.

Reader question: – What happened to the original “America” gold toilet that was stolen? – The original was likely melted down for its gold content after being stolen from Blenheim Palace in 2019, despite the arrest of those involved. Source: the Guardian

Looking ahead,art enthusiasts are anticipating another potential record-breaker. On Thursday, November 20, 2