Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece portrait just smashed records at Sotheby’s. The “Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” sold for $236.4 million on November 18, 2025. This stunning six-foot-tall painting now ranks as the second-most expensive artwork sold at auction. Only Leonardo da Vinci’s disputed “Salvator Mundi” commands a higher price.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- $236.4 million final price for Klimt portrait at New York auction
- Estimated at only $150 million, sale price shattered expectations
- 1914-1916 oil painting from Leonard Lauder’s legendary collection
- Portrait survived Nazi looting and WWII destruction
- One of 55 masterworks from Lauder estate worth over $400 million
- Next: Sotheby’s continues Lauder collection sales through November 20
What Happened at This Record-Breaking Auction
“Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer” commanded the room Tuesday evening. Bidders competed fiercely for nearly 10 minutes. The final hammer price reached $205 million, ballooning to $236.4 million with buyer commissions.
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This wasn’t just a stunning portrait that broke records. The painting came directly from the collection of late billionaire Leonard Lauder, who passed away in June 2025. Lauder was the former chairman of Estée Lauder Companies. He served as one of the world’s most influential art collectors for decades. He donated a $1 billion Cubist collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“The portrait of Elisabeth Lederer is a masterpiece that represents the pinnacle of modern art.”
The painting depicts Elisabeth Lederer, daughter of Vienna patrons August and Serena Lederer. Klimt created this full-length portrait in oil and gold leaf around 1916. The young woman wears an elegant blue dress against a shimmering background. Klimt captured her grace with characteristic symbolist style.
Why This Sale Matters to Art Collectors
This record auction signals something crucial about the market. Modern masterpieces keep commanding astronomical prices. The art market remains strong despite economic uncertainties. Wealthy collectors actively pursue museum-quality works. Strong provenance matters more than ever before.
The painting survived one of history’s darkest chapters. Nazi forces looted the Lederer collection during World War II. The portrait spent decades missing and feared destroyed. Austrian authorities restituted the artwork to the Lederer family after the war. This verified provenance adds immense historical and cultural value. Collectors prize artworks with compelling restitution stories.
For art collectors and investors, this means opportunities exist in historic European paintings. Works with documented histories attract serious bidders. Museums and foundations constantly seek acquisitions. The $400 million Lauder estate sale proves wealthy collectors’ estates drive record sales.
The Numbers Behind This Historic Sale
Here’s how this Klimt compares to other record masterpieces:
| Artwork | Price (with fees) | Year Sold | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvator Mundi (Leonardo) | $450.3 million | 2017 | Christie’s, NYC |
| Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (Klimt) | $236.4 million | 2025 | Sotheby’s, NYC |
| Shot Sage Blue Marilyn (Warhol) | $195 million | 2022 | Christie’s, NYC |
| Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (Klimt) | $135 million | 2006 | Christie’s, NYC |
The Lauder auction featured 24 premium lots that evening. Works by Matisse, Edvard Munch, and other masters were offered. An Edvard Munch painting sold for $35.1 million. The entire Lauder collection sale is expected to fetch over $400 million.
This Klimt achieved 158% of its high estimate. Major museums were represented in the bidding room. International collectors participated via phone and online platforms.
What Collectors Should Watch For
- The Lauder estate continues through November 20, 2025 at Sotheby’s
- Three Klimt paintings remain in the collection worth roughly $300 million
- Critical provenance verification remains essential after this sale
- Museums may acquire works from the remaining Lauder estate lots
- Future auctions will reveal collector appetite for modern European art
Sotheby’s broke all previous records for a single modern artwork sale. The Elisabeth Lederer portrait represents peak market confidence.
Will This Klimt Record Stand as the Ultimate Achievement?
Art historians and collectors debate whether this achievement will last. Can another Klimt painting fetch higher prices? Will undiscovered masterpieces surface at future auctions? The Elisabeth Lederer portrait remains an extraordinary accomplishment. It showcases how Austrian Modernism dominates today’s top auctions. Museums globally are assessing their Klimt holdings. Some may consider deaccessioning pieces.
The November 2025 Sotheby’s auctions represent a watershed moment. Leonard Lauder’s legacy shaped the art market for decades. His collection represented decades of discerning purchases. He had access to works most collectors never encounter. The Elisabeth Lederer portrait exemplifies this extraordinary vision.
What does this record tell us about wealthy collectors today? It signals that masterworks remain trophy acquisitions. History, provenance, and rarity drive astronomical prices. The 1914-1916 Klimt checks every box an elite collector demands. Its $236.4 million price reflects market realities in 2025. Will we see a Klimt surpass this price before another decade passes?
Sources
- Sotheby’s – Official auction house catalog and results
- The New York Times – Art market coverage and analysis
- Artnet News – Auction records and art market trends
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.