Klimt portrait with mystery surrounding it fetches €30 million in Vienna
The recent sale of Gustav Klimt’s “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” at Im Kinsky in Vienna for €30m has set a new auction record for Austria. The painting, previously believed lost, was discovered and sold to a buyer from Hong Kong. The artwork’s history, including the sitter’s identity and the client who commissioned it, remains shrouded in mystery. The auction house negotiated a settlement with the heirs of the Lieser family, Jewish industrialists in the Austro-Hungarian empire, to share in the proceeds. The debate over whether the portrait depicts Margarethe Constance Lieser or another Lieser family member continues, highlighting the importance of provenance in the art market.
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Cillian O’Rourke, studied at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, where he majored in Visual Communication. His work spans graphic design, illustration, and branding, with a distinct minimalist style that emphasizes simplicity and impact. Cillian has collaborated with international brands and runs his own design studio focusing on creative solutions for startups.