The portrait “Mademoiselle Lieser” was painted by Gustav Klimt in 1917, a year before his death. It was allegedly stolen from a Jewish family during World War II.
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At the auction house I’m Kinsky, Many Viennese came at least once to admire this colorful painting, which remained hidden for a century. This portrait of a certain Miss Lieser which Klimt painted in 1917, a year before his death, is up for auction on Wednesday, April 24. If the sale promises to be historic, gray areas remain regarding its origins.
Sybille is impressed: “Obviously, as Viennese, we know Klimt well, but I wanted to discover a painting that we have never seen before. It is a typical Klimt, but I think his language here is finer, more subtle in the lines. It is an interesting painting.”
“Agreement with all users of the Lieser family”
The fate of this painting, which was commissioned by the Lieser family, a wealthy Jewish family, is unclear between 1925 and the 1960s. If the sale happens, it’s because I’m Kinsky predicted such a possibility.
Which shows a change in mentality according to Claudia Mörth-Gasser, who works in this house: “It was precisely these ambiguities and historical gaps that prompted the current owners and us to conclude an agreement on the distribution of business income with all the beneficiaries of the Lieser family. It was clear to us from the beginning that we must treat this picture as a clear case of restitution, even if we do not have clear evidence, the burden of proof must be reversed.” The sale could exceed 50 million euros.
