A Lost Masterpiece by Gustav Klimt to be Auctioned in Vienna
Unanswered Questions Surround the Intriguing Portrait of Fraulein Lieser
Published 8 hours ago
A lost painting by the renowned Austrian artist, Gustav Klimt, has resurfaced after nearly a century. The masterpiece, known as the “Portrait of Fraulein Lieser,” is set to be auctioned in Vienna, with experts predicting a hefty price tag of up to €50m ($53m; £42m).
The painting, initially commenced by Klimt in 1917, a year before his death, still carries an air of mystery, leaving art enthusiasts with perplexing questions. The primary debate surrounding the artwork revolves around the identity of the woman portrayed and the painting’s whereabouts during the Nazi era.
Unveiling an Enigmatic Subject
Art historians, Thomas Natter and Alfred Weidinger, propose that the painting depicts Margarethe Constance Lieser, the daughter of Adolf Lieser. However, the im Kinsky auction house raises an alternative suggestion, hinting that the subject might be one of the daughters of Justus Lieser and his wife Henriette.
Tellingly, Henriette, widely known as Lilly and recognized for her patronage of modern art, tragically perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust. Her daughters, Helene and Annie, managed to survive the Second World War, further adding to the historical significance of this recovered masterpiece.
An Ambiguous Journey
The whereabouts of the painting between its creation and 1925 remains unclear. The im Kinsky auction house states that it was acquired in the 1960s by a legal predecessor of the current owner through a series of inheritances.
The painting is being sold by the current Austrian owners, along with the legal successors of Adolf and Henriette Lieser, in compliance with the Washington Principles agreement. Formed to facilitate the return of Nazi-looted artworks to the descendants of the original owners, this agreement marks an essential step towards rectifying historical injustices.
Remaining Questions and a Call for Investigation
Despite the agreement and the upcoming auction, many unanswered questions persist, causing some individuals to advocate for further scrutiny.
Erika Jakubovits, the executive director of the Presidency of the Austrian Jewish Community, emphasizes the need for an impartial investigation into the case. She stresses that thorough, accurate, and transparent research is fundamental to resolving art restitution issues appropriately and setting a precedent for future private restitutions.
With the imminent auction of this remarkable Klimt painting, the art world eagerly anticipates its final chapter in a story filled with historical intrigue and unresolved mysteries.
