Klimt breaks Record in Lauder Sale

November 19 2025

Video: Sotheby's

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

Sotheby's New York set a new record last night for the most expensive work of 'modern art' sold at auction. Gustav Klimt's Bildnis Elisabeth Lederer (Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer) realised $236.4m (inc. commission) over its $150m+ estimate. The Leonard A. Lauder, Collector Evening Auction realised a total of $527.5m with all lots being sold.

Equally impressive prices were achieved down the road, with the Christie's 20th Century Evening Sale realising a total of $471,728,400. The separate The Collection of Robert F. and Patricia G. Ross Weis sale realised an additional $218,066,600 with the highlight being Rothko's No. 31 (Yellow Stripe) which realised $62,160,000 over its 'estimate on request' price tag.

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