Long-lost Klimt Painting Fetches $37 Million at Vienna Auction

The painting, missing since the early 20th century, was sold amid unresolved questions about its provenance and ownership.

Gustav Klimt's 'Portrait of Fräulein Lieser,' lost for nearly 100 years, was auctioned for approximately $37 million.
The painting's provenance is controversial, with its history shadowed by Nazi confiscation during World War II.
Patti Wong, representing an Asian client, placed the winning bid at Vienna's im Kinsky auction house.
Questions persist about the identity of the woman depicted in the painting, with multiple potential familial connections suggested.
A potential legal heir emerged just before the sale, challenging the ownership and complicating the auction's outcome.