On November 18, 2025, the art world witnessed history as Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer sold at Sotheby’s in New York for an astonishing $236.4 million. This sale marks not only the most expensive modern artwork ever auctioned but also sets a new record for both the artist and for Sotheby’s itself, as intense bidding captured global attention in a dramatic, 20-minute contest.
The rediscovered painting, completed in the last years of Klimt’s life, depicts the daughter of one of his most important patrons and had been hidden from public view for decades. Its survival is particularly significant: the portrait escaped destruction during World War II, making its recent public reveal and subsequent sale all the more remarkable.
The previous record for a modern artwork was held by Andy Warhol, but Klimt’s iconic canvas now claims the title. Auctioned from the esteemed Leonard A. Lauder Collection, the sale also underlines the continued strength and prestige of the fine art market—even as global economic conditions pose ongoing challenges for top-tier sales.
Experts believe the extraordinary result reflects both the rarity of museum-quality Klimt works and renewed collector appetite for masterpieces with powerful backstories. As the art world looks ahead, this Klimt record is sure to inspire new attention and excitement around other modern treasures coming to auction.
