2023-06-28 19:19:26
4 minutes to read
Lady With a Fan becomes most expensive ever auctioned in Europe, surpassing Giacometti sculpture sold in 2010
The renowned Sotheby’s auction house hosted this Tuesday (27) a historical event in London as sale of the work Lady With a Fan (1917-1918) by acclaimed Austrian artist Gustav Klimt (1862-1918). This auction not only attracted art enthusiasts from around the world, but also set a new sales price record in Europe by fetching the painting for £85.3 million, equivalent to US$108.4 million, taking over the Most expensive artwork brand ever auctioned in Europe.
Lady With a Fan was made by Gustav Klimt in 1917-1918, during his golden age, characterized by its distinctive and opulent style. The painting depicts an elegant woman holding a fan in her hands, being a outstanding example of sensuality and ornamental details present in the works of the artist.
A The work’s color palette is rich and vibrant, highlighting golden tones and intricate ornamentation. The background presents complex decorative patterns and geometric motifs, typical of Klimt’s works. The female figure is depicted with a serene and mysterious expression, adding an enigmatic feel to the work.
the auction house estimated the work at “over £65 million”which already pointed to the breaking of the previous record for auction sales in Europe, which dated back to 2010, when the sculpture Walking Man by Alberto Giacometti was sold at Sotheby’s for the aforementioned price. In the field of painting, the highest price reached in Europe was 15 years ago, with the sale of Bacia with water lilies by Claude Monet at Christie’s London for £40.9 million.
Walking Man (1960), Alberto Giacometti. Image: Sotheby’s
It is important to highlight that Klimt’s work received External bidding support or third party guarantee, meaning it would be sold independently. However, the final price reached of £85.3 million was certainly great news for the auction house, the seller and anyone else who has invested in the Austrian’s works.
Water Lily Pond (1919), Claude Monet. Image: Wikipedia.
Lady With a Fan it had already set a milestone for the artist in 1994, when it sold for $11.6 million at Sotheby’s in New York. now this It is also the most expensive work by Klimt ever sold at auction.surpassing the record price of US$ 104.6 million recently achieved by the work Birch Forest at Christie’s, from the collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Birch Forest (1903), Gustav Klimt. Imagem: Wikiart.
A intense demand from Asia was reflected in bidding disputes during yesterday’s auction, with a ten minute bidding war between Jen Hua, Sotheby’s vice president of Asia, who was bidding on behalf of a telephone customer, and Patti Wong, former longtime president of Sotheby’s and head of Asia. In the end, the client represented by Patti Wong emerged victorious and secured the work for its client in Hong Kong.
Sotheby’s Modern Contemporary Night Auction, which included 59 lots, raised a total of £190.3 million ($241.9 million). Of these lots, 40% had irrevocable bids from third parties, demonstrating confidence in the art market.
Helena Newman, luiando Lady with a fan. Image: Sotheby’s.
Gustav Klimt, one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century, left a enduring legacy in art history. His paintings, which portrayed themes such as love, sensuality and femininity, gained worldwide recognition. Lady with a fan represents one of Klimt’s last creations and further reinforces the artist’s importance in the international art scene.
Giovanna Gregório holds a degree in Art: History, Criticism and Curatorship from PUC-SP. Independent researcher and critic.
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