On November 18, 2025, the art world witnessed a historic moment as Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer achieved a staggering $236.4 million at Sotheby’s New York, including fees. This sale not only sets a new benchmark as the most expensive modern artwork ever sold at auction but also positions Klimt’s masterpiece as the second priciest painting in history, behind Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi. The final figure far exceeded the pre-auction estimate of $150 million, following an intense 20-minute bidding war that underscored the painting’s exceptional appeal and rarity.
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