Klimt's 'Lady with a Fan' Sets New Record as Europe's Most Expensive Artwork Ever Auctioned


Europe's Most Expensive Auctioned Artwork: Gustav Klimt's "Lady with a Fan" Fetches $108 Million after a 10-Minute Bidding War

The "Lady with a Fan" by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt has become the most expensive artwork ever auctioned in Europe, selling for $108.4 million. The painting, which depicts an unidentified woman against a resplendent, China-influenced backdrop of dragons and lotus blossoms, was sold to a buyer in the room at London’s Sotheby's after a 10-minute bidding war, exceeding the presale estimate of $80 million. The final price includes a charge on top of the sale price known as the buyer's premium.

This sale beat the previous European auction record of $104.3 million paid for Alberto Giacometti's sculpture "Walking Man I" at Sotheby's in 2010. The most expensive painting auctioned in Europe before the "Lady with a Fan" was Claude Monet’s "Le bassin aux nymphéas," which fetched $80.4 million at a Christie's sale in 2008.

The buyer was art adviser Patti Wong, acting on behalf of a Hong Kong collector. Gustav Klimt was renowned for his bold, daring Art Nouveau paintings and his work continues to fetch high prices at auctions globally.

Klimt's "Lady with a Fan" Breaks Records - The story behind the auction of Europe's most expensive artwork


The latest auction of Gustav Klimt's painting "Lady with a Fan" has become Europe's most expensive auctioned artwork ever, fetching $108.4 million. The painting was sold at Sotheby's in London after a 10-minute bidding war, exceeding the presale estimate of $80 million. It is Klimt's last portrait, completed just before his death in 1918, and depicts an unidentified woman against a China-influenced backdrop of dragons and lotus blossoms. Patti Wong, an art adviser, acting on behalf of a Hong Kong collector, bought the painting.

The previous European auction record of $104.3 million was paid for Alberto Giacometti's sculpture "Walking Man I" at Sotheby's in 2010. Before the "Lady with a Fan", Claude Monet's "Le bassin aux nymphéas," which was sold at a Christie's sale in 2008, was the most expensive painting auctioned in Europe.

Gustav Klimt's work is famous for its bold, daring Art Nouveau style, and his paintings have continuously garnered high prices at auctions around the world. His "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II" sold for $87.9 million at a New York auction in 200

Gustav Klimt's "Lady with a Fan" has become Europe's most expensive auctioned artwork, selling for a whopping $108.4 million, breaking the previous record of $104.3 million paid for Alberto Giacometti's sculpture, "Walking Man I". The painting was sold to a buyer in the room at London’s Sotheby's after a 10-minute bidding war, exceeding the presale estimate of $80 million. This sale marks Klimt's last portrait, made just before his death in 1918, and features an unidentified woman set against a resplendent China-influenced background of dragons and lotus blossoms.

The high value of Gustav Klimt's work can be credited to his famous and unique art nouveau style, which has captivated art lovers globally. The sale of Klimt's "Lady with a Fan" is a testament to the lasting legacy of the artist and his ability to continue to captivate the art world.

The art industry continues to thrive as collectors invest their wealth in prized artwork. Although many of Klimt's paintings now hold the record title of being the most expensive art piece, the high prices reflect the art's value as an investment. The sale price of