Sold for five billion: The most expensive painting of all time has a new competitor. Its history has roots in the Czech lands
Its historical roots lie in the Czech lands, yet it almost became Nazi loot. The auction of Klimt’s painting took place on 19 November 2025 in New York. The work itself was created between 1914 and 1916. But the whole story began a little earlier in Česká Lípa. It was there that August Lederer was born on 3 May 1857 — an entrepreneur whose career first led him into the liquor-distilling business. From there, success and, of course, the considerable wealth he earned carried him into high society in Vienna. A key role in the story was played by Lederer’s wife, Szeréna, née Pulitzer. With her help, August became a patron of the arts and a major supporter of Gustav Klimt.
Source cocktejl.cz/druhy-nejdrazsi-obraz-vse-dob-gustav-klimt-elisabeth-lederer/