In just three hours on 8 Nov, 78 Impressionist and modern paintings, drawings and sculptures were at Christie's (New York) for $491 million!
This painting "Adele Bloch- Bauer II" dated 1912 by Gustave Klimt was sold for $87.93 million. Coincidentally, this painting is currently sitting on my wall of my study room. The restitution by the Austrian State in March 2006 of the Klimts and other works to the heirs of Ferdinand and Adele Bloch Bauer contributed to the stunning success of Chrsitie's sale. This was followed by the annoucement of a gigantic price of US $135 million reportely paid for the other portrait of Adele Bauer (I) which is now hanging in the Neue Galerie Musuem in New York. This painting paid by Ronald Lauder will be a centerpiece in the Gallarie. His collection has for years attempted to recover Jewish-owned art, mostly Germany and Austria, that had been confisticated or looted by the Nazi Government. Lauder's comment on the acquisition for his Neue Gallerie collection "this is our Mona Lisa".
Paintings above are Adele Bloch-Bauer I and II respectively.
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