Adele Bloch-Bauer I

Gustav KLIMT

Fecha de venta: Junio 2006 Técnica: Óleo / lienzo

Medidas: 153 x 133 cm. Precio: $135.000.000.00 dls.

Vendido por María Altman a Ronald S. Lauder

Gustav Klimt

Adele Bloch-Bauer

1907, oil, silver and

gold on canvas.

Neue Galerie New York

This acquisition made available in part through the generosity of the heirs of the Estates of Ferdinand and Adele Bloch-bauer.

• Adele Bloch-bauer

• (1882? - 1925)

• In 1903, Klimt visited the Byzantine mosaics at Ravenna, Italy, and was impressed by these exquisite works, in which the figure of the Empress Theodora is rendered in a bejeweled setting inlaid with gold.

• Upon his return to Vienna, he began to work in what became known as his "Golden Style," incorporating gold elements into both his allegorical and portrait paintings.

• In Adele Bloch-Bauer I, one of Klimt's greatest achievements, gold is used in a variety of contexts, from the lustrous background to the shining fabric of Adele's gown.

• The subject seems to become one with her glowing surroundings, yet a distinctive and tenderly drawn figure emerges from the profusion of decorative motifs.

• Adele appears as a modern, complex woman, her intelligence as evident as her sensuality. Her hands are folded in such a way as to conceal her deformed finger, yet the gesture only adds to her mysterious grace.

Renée Price • Neue Gallery

• En 1903, Klimt visitó los mosaicos Bizantinos de la Basílica de San Vitale en Ravenna, Italia, y se impresionó por tan exquisito trabajo, en el cual la figura de la emperatriz Teodora se muestra en un ambiente enjoyado engarzado e oro.

• A su regreso a Viena, empezó a trabajar en lo que más tarde se conocería como su “Estilo Dorado”, incorporando elementos áureos tanto en sus pinturas alegóricas como en sus retratos.

• En Adele Bloch-Bauer I, uno de los más grandes logros de Klimt, el oro es usado en una variedad de dontextos, desde el lustroso fondo hasta la brillante tela del traje de Adele.

• El sujeto parece volverse uno con su resplandeciente entorno aunque una figura distintiva y dibujada cuidadosamente emerja de la profusión de elementos decorativos.

• Adele aparece como una mujer compleja y moderna, su inteligencia es tan evidente como su sensualidad. Sus manos están dobladas de tal manera que disimulan sus dedos deformados, y aún así, el gesto sólo aumenta su gracia misteriosa.

Renée Price • Neue Gallery

The Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna dates from the mid-6th century and contains what are probably the finest Byzantine mosaics in the western world.

La Basilica di San Vitale

en Ravenna, Italia, data de mediados

del siglo 6to de nuestra era y

contiene los más sobresalientes

mosaicos bizantinos del

mundo occidental.

• Gustav Klimt• Austria. • (1862-1918) • Pintor

simbolista• Líder del

movimiento artístico llamado “Vienna Secession”

•

• Ronald Lauder, left, purchased Klimt's Adele Bloch-Bauer I for his Neue Gallery after her heir, Maria Altman (seated), won the Nazi-looted work back from the Austrian government.

• (Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press)

• Works by Gustav Klimt rocketed to third place on the Artprice bestseller list, up from his 2005 ranking of 359th, because of the appearance of five major Klimt paintings that turned up for sale after a long-running restoration battle. The Austrian government returned the works to the heirs of the original owners, whose property had been looted by the Nazis.

• Ronald Lauder, left, purchased Klimt's Adele Bloch-Bauer I for his Neue Gallery after her heir, Maria Altman (seated), won the Nazi-looted work back from the Austrian government.(Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press) The acclaimed painting Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I — dubbed the Golden Adele — was privately sold to New York's Neue Gallerie (founded by cosmetics magnate and art collector Ronald Lauder) for a record-setting $135 million US. The four other works subsequently sold for a total of $192 million US at a Christie's auction.

By ROBIN POGREBINBy ROBIN POGREBINPublished: October 18, 2007Published: October 18, 2007

• Lauder’s Openness Is Sought on ArtworkLauder’s Openness Is Sought on Artwork

• For the cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder, who For the cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder, who drew global attention last year by acquiring a drew global attention last year by acquiring a lustrous portrait by Gustav Klimt for $135 lustrous portrait by Gustav Klimt for $135 million, the exhibition opening today at the million, the exhibition opening today at the Neue Galerie is something of a love fest. Neue Galerie is something of a love fest.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/arts/design/18laud.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=&st=nyt

RONALD LAUDER

• Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press • By By ROBIN POGREBINROBIN POGREBIN• Published: October 18, 2007Published: October 18, 2007

• The show, “Gustav Klimt: The Ronald S. Lauder The show, “Gustav Klimt: The Ronald S. Lauder and Serge Sabarsky Collections,” celebrates not and Serge Sabarsky Collections,” celebrates not only Klimt and his fin-de-siècle milieu in Vienna, only Klimt and his fin-de-siècle milieu in Vienna, but Mr. Lauder’s fervent passion for acquiring but Mr. Lauder’s fervent passion for acquiring art. art. – ““We knew this would be a major show for us because We knew this would be a major show for us because

of the importance of Gustav Klimt, because we had of the importance of Gustav Klimt, because we had great holdings,” Mr. Lauder, 63, said during an great holdings,” Mr. Lauder, 63, said during an interview at his office overlooking Central Park. (Mr. interview at his office overlooking Central Park. (Mr. Sabarsky, a European-born art dealer who helped Sabarsky, a European-born art dealer who helped found the Neue Galerie with Mr. Lauder, died in found the Neue Galerie with Mr. Lauder, died in 1996.)1996.)

• But for some experts in Holocaust restitution research, But for some experts in Holocaust restitution research, the show raises another issue related to Mr. Lauder’s the show raises another issue related to Mr. Lauder’s trove: He declines to issue documentation of his private trove: He declines to issue documentation of his private collection for public scrutiny. collection for public scrutiny.

• Among the major collectors of Vienna Secession and Among the major collectors of Vienna Secession and German Expressionist artworks between the two world German Expressionist artworks between the two world wars were many prosperous European Jews, who often wars were many prosperous European Jews, who often had to surrender their art when they were deported by had to surrender their art when they were deported by the Nazis or fled abroad. And Mr. Lauder and Mr. the Nazis or fled abroad. And Mr. Lauder and Mr. Sabarsky’s collections are among the most prominent Sabarsky’s collections are among the most prominent private holdings of such works in the United States.private holdings of such works in the United States.

• At the same time Mr. Lauder donates heavily to At the same time Mr. Lauder donates heavily to Jewish causes and champions restitution to Jewish causes and champions restitution to Jewish heirs. He is president of the World Jewish heirs. He is president of the World Jewish Congress, for example, and once Jewish Congress, for example, and once oversaw its art recovery commission. oversaw its art recovery commission.

• ““I find it strange because of who Lauder is and I find it strange because of who Lauder is and who he has claimed to be in terms of his who he has claimed to be in terms of his concern for those who suffered at the hands of concern for those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis,” said Ori Soltes, president of the the Nazis,” said Ori Soltes, president of the Holocaust Art Restitution Project. “I would think Holocaust Art Restitution Project. “I would think he would bend over backwards to at least be a he would bend over backwards to at least be a shining light of provenance propriety.”shining light of provenance propriety.”

• Many American collectors consider their private Many American collectors consider their private collections to be just that: private. But some restitution collections to be just that: private. But some restitution experts suggest that Mr. Lauder’s prominent role experts suggest that Mr. Lauder’s prominent role requires complete transparency, at least when it comes requires complete transparency, at least when it comes to art that may have changed hands in Nazi-occupied to art that may have changed hands in Nazi-occupied Europe. Europe.

• In a later interview at his office Mr. Lauder said that over In a later interview at his office Mr. Lauder said that over the years he had turned over various items in response the years he had turned over various items in response to claims or as a result of his staff’s provenance to claims or as a result of his staff’s provenance research.research.

• ““But those were pieces that had records to substantiate But those were pieces that had records to substantiate the owners’ claims,” he said. He mentioned “a beautiful the owners’ claims,” he said. He mentioned “a beautiful Renaissance shield” and an artwork by the Russian artist Renaissance shield” and an artwork by the Russian artist Orest Adamovich Kiprenskii.Orest Adamovich Kiprenskii.

• He said that he had about a dozen employees devoted He said that he had about a dozen employees devoted to his collection, and that their responsibilities include to his collection, and that their responsibilities include thoroughly researching the provenance of any piece he thoroughly researching the provenance of any piece he acquires. acquires.

• Asked by The New York Times for an inventory of his Asked by The New York Times for an inventory of his German and Austrian works and related provenance German and Austrian works and related provenance information, he declined to release such material. “It’s information, he declined to release such material. “It’s my private collection,” he said. “Would it be O.K. for my private collection,” he said. “Would it be O.K. for people to see what dresses you have in your closet?”people to see what dresses you have in your closet?”– ““Every work of art — I would say almost without exception — in Every work of art — I would say almost without exception — in

my collection has all been exhibited; all have long records,” he my collection has all been exhibited; all have long records,” he added. “I’m just as interested as anyone else to find the pieces added. “I’m just as interested as anyone else to find the pieces that were stolen.”that were stolen.”

• Mr. Lauder said that by displaying his and Mr. Sabarsky’s Mr. Lauder said that by displaying his and Mr. Sabarsky’s Klimt paintings and drawings at the Neue Galerie — and Klimt paintings and drawings at the Neue Galerie — and arranging a show of their arranging a show of their Egon SchieleEgon Schiele works there in works there in 2005 — he was essentially opening the door to public 2005 — he was essentially opening the door to public scrutiny. scrutiny.

• ““The museum is transparent,” he said. “When you put a The museum is transparent,” he said. “When you put a piece of work on the wall of a museum and say, ‘This is piece of work on the wall of a museum and say, ‘This is it; it’s all there,’ I’m as open as I can be.” it; it’s all there,’ I’m as open as I can be.”

• Despite the new exhibition’s title, none of the catalog Despite the new exhibition’s title, none of the catalog entries for the Klimts on view that are owned by Mr. entries for the Klimts on view that are owned by Mr. Lauder bear his name; instead they say, “Private Lauder bear his name; instead they say, “Private Collection, New York.” Mr. Sabarsky’s Klimts are listed as Collection, New York.” Mr. Sabarsky’s Klimts are listed as belonging to his estate. belonging to his estate.

• Jane Kallir, owner of the Galerie St. Étienne in Jane Kallir, owner of the Galerie St. Étienne in Manhattan, founded by her grandfather, Otto Kallir, who Manhattan, founded by her grandfather, Otto Kallir, who promoted Schiele in the United States, said that Mr. promoted Schiele in the United States, said that Mr. Lauder “has been really pretty forthcoming about what Lauder “has been really pretty forthcoming about what he has.”he has.”– ““It’s not a question of some deep, dark secret people are hiding; It’s not a question of some deep, dark secret people are hiding;

there’s a dearth of conclusive information,” she added. “There there’s a dearth of conclusive information,” she added. “There are some things that aren’t known and perhaps will never be are some things that aren’t known and perhaps will never be known.”known.”

• E. Randol Schoenberg, a Los Angeles lawyer E. Randol Schoenberg, a Los Angeles lawyer who won restitution from the Austrian state of who won restitution from the Austrian state of five Klimt paintings that belonged to the five Klimt paintings that belonged to the Viennese Bloch-Bauer family, recently Viennese Bloch-Bauer family, recently suggested that Mr. Lauder’s brother, Leonard, suggested that Mr. Lauder’s brother, Leonard, might own a Klimt painting that was taken from a might own a Klimt painting that was taken from a claimant’s grandmother. (Leonard Lauder has claimant’s grandmother. (Leonard Lauder has said that the grandmother never owned it, and said that the grandmother never owned it, and that the claim is baseless.)that the claim is baseless.)

• Of Ronald Lauder Mr. Schoenberg said:Of Ronald Lauder Mr. Schoenberg said:– “ “He’s always been up front with me. I’ve never had He’s always been up front with me. I’ve never had

any trouble with him.”any trouble with him.”

http://www.neuegalerie.org

http://rslfoundation.org

THE RONALD S. LAUDER FOUNDATION

• RONALD S. LAUDERFOUNDER AND PRESIDENT,

• Internationally-prominent businessman, philanthropist, community and civic leader, Ronald S. Lauder maintains a deep commitment to his Judaic heritage within a mosaic of charitable and professional endeavors that reach around the world

http://www.rslfoundation.org

Ronald Lauder• The son of Estee Lauder and the late Joseph Lauder, founders of

Estee Lauder, Inc., Mr. Lauder was born on February 26, 1944.

• He attended the Bronx High School of Science and holds a Bachelors degree in International Business from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He studied at the University of Paris, and received a Certificate in International Business from the University of Brussels.

• Mr. Lauder married the former Jo Carole Knopf in July of 1967. They have two children, Aerin and Jane. The family resides in New York City.

http://www.jweekly.com

Friday, April 18, 2003 | return to: nationalFriday, April 18, 2003 | return to: national Reclaiming Third Reich plunder is a Reclaiming Third Reich plunder is a

passionate quest for L.A. lawyerpassionate quest for L.A. lawyer by TOM TUGEND, Jerusalem Post Service by TOM TUGEND, Jerusalem Post Service

LOS ANGELES -- In one of the most complex legal battles in LOS ANGELES -- In one of the most complex legal battles in the annals of Holocaust restitution, centering on the restoration the annals of Holocaust restitution, centering on the restoration of art looted by the Nazis to its rightful owners, E. Randol of art looted by the Nazis to its rightful owners, E. Randol Schoenberg is stationed on the frontlines.Schoenberg is stationed on the frontlines.

The stakes are enormous. In the biggest collective art theft of all The stakes are enormous. In the biggest collective art theft of all time, Hitler's minions seized up to 600,000 important works time, Hitler's minions seized up to 600,000 important works between 1933 and 1945, according to a recent report in The between 1933 and 1945, according to a recent report in The New York Times.New York Times.

If one includes all art objects, books, Judaica, silver pieces and If one includes all art objects, books, Judaica, silver pieces and other valuables, the Nazis stole 10.7 million items in all of other valuables, the Nazis stole 10.7 million items in all of Europe, worth more than $37 billion today, the same article Europe, worth more than $37 billion today, the same article estimates.estimates.

A current case, which has drawn wide attention, pits A current case, which has drawn wide attention, pits Schoenberg against the government of Austria. Schoenberg against the government of Austria. Schoenberg represents Maria V. Altman, an 87-year-Schoenberg represents Maria V. Altman, an 87-year-old Los Angeles resident, who is seeking to recover old Los Angeles resident, who is seeking to recover six paintings by the early 20th century Viennese six paintings by the early 20th century Viennese painter Gustav Klimt. painter Gustav Klimt.

The paintings, valued at $150 million, include a The paintings, valued at $150 million, include a stunning portrait of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer.stunning portrait of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer.

The Austrian government, which holds the paintings, is The Austrian government, which holds the paintings, is contesting the claim. contesting the claim.

Last year, Schoenberg scored a major victory when an Last year, Schoenberg scored a major victory when an appeals court in San Francisco ruled that a foreign appeals court in San Francisco ruled that a foreign government could be held to answer in the United States government could be held to answer in the United States for a Holocaust-based claim.for a Holocaust-based claim.

But the two-and-a-half-year-old case is far from over. But the two-and-a-half-year-old case is far from over. The Austrian government appealed the decision and, to The Austrian government appealed the decision and, to Schoenberg's dismay, the U.S. Department of Justice is Schoenberg's dismay, the U.S. Department of Justice is backing the Austrians on the grounds that a sovereign backing the Austrians on the grounds that a sovereign foreign state is immune to lawsuits in American courts. foreign state is immune to lawsuits in American courts.

The case might end up in the Supreme Court.The case might end up in the Supreme Court.

Last December, Schoenberg opened up another front by Last December, Schoenberg opened up another front by seeking to recover a $10 million Picasso oil painting for seeking to recover a $10 million Picasso oil painting for the Berkeley-based grandson of a Berlin woman who the Berkeley-based grandson of a Berlin woman who owned it before World War II. The 1922 painting, Femme owned it before World War II. The 1922 painting, Femme en Blanc ("Woman in White"), was "confiscated" by the en Blanc ("Woman in White"), was "confiscated" by the Nazis in 1940.Nazis in 1940.

Besides these headline cases, Schoenberg has advised Besides these headline cases, Schoenberg has advised hundreds of Jewish families from Austria on their hundreds of Jewish families from Austria on their restitution rights, usually as a free service. He earns his restitution rights, usually as a free service. He earns his bread and butter through more mundane business bread and butter through more mundane business litigation.litigation.

- "It is enormously time-consuming to pursue the art recovery "It is enormously time-consuming to pursue the art recovery cases I received my first call from Maria Altman in the Klimt case cases I received my first call from Maria Altman in the Klimt case in 1998 and enormously expensive, running into millions," said in 1998 and enormously expensive, running into millions," said Schoenberg in his high-rise office on Wilshire Blvd.Schoenberg in his high-rise office on Wilshire Blvd.

• El museo del Belvedere, un palacio en el corazón de Viena,fue la residencia de verano del renombrado general y connoisseur de arte el Príncipe Eugene.

• Y fue la casa, por casi 4 décadas, de los ahora famosísimos, retratos de Adele Bloch-Bauer hechos por Gustav Klimt.