The True Face of Gustav Klimt

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The outstanding qualities of the paintings by Gustav Klimt are undeniable, whether for composition or for technique. 2006 pushed him to the highest summit of art history, with two portraits of Adele Bloch-Bauer. The first reached $ 135 million in a private sale and the second $ 88 million at auction at Christie's.

The man had a sulfurous reputation, because of intense sexual activity. His art was recognized and he could afford to defy the social Viennese conventions. Visitors met a prematurely aged man, with rebel thinning hair, dressed in a sort of blanket without any ornament, wearing simple sandals.

All of this is known and increases the attractiveness of a photographic portrait made by Moritz Nähr in 1912, very typical of the description I discussed above. The nicely smiling artist looks at the photographer and carries in his arms a black and white cat.

This silver bromide contact print, 24 x 18 cm, is estimated 25 K €. It will be sold at Vienna on December 5 by WestLicht Photographica Auction. The auction house, which specialized exclusively in the photographic material, diversifies and offers old photographs for the first time.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This photo so typical of the image that people have of Klimt was sold 23 K € before fees.