Gustav Klimt's "Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer" became the most expensive modern artwork sold at auction last week, fetching $236.4 million. Frida Kahlo's self-portrait also fetched $54.7 million, a record for a female artist.
Works by renowned artists who have left their mark on art history occasionally come up for auction, creating considerable excitement in the art market. For example, on Thursday, November 18th, Gustav Klimt's "Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer" (1914-1916) sold for $236.4 million at Sotheby's in New York, reaching an all-time high for modern art. On November 20th, at Sotheby's New York, Frida Kahlo's self-portrait titled "Dream (Bed)" became the most valuable work by a female artist sold at auction ($54.7 million).
-"Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer," Gustav Klimt (1914-1916), $236.4 million
It was a work that sold for a considerable amount in modern painting. The sale of this work at this price is a very positive development for the development of world art. This will also stimulate other areas of art, as Klimt was a significant figure even for someone who had no understanding of art. The value of his works increased exponentially after his death. "Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer" comes from the collection of Leonard A. Lauder, the heir of Estée Lauder. Three or four people may have competed for the work, but we don't know who bought it. In fact, Klimt has much more beautiful works, such as "The Kiss."
-‘Salvator Mundi’, Leonardo Da Vinci (1499-1510), $450 million
One of the most expensive classical paintings. Gustav Klimt is the most valuable of modern art, but if we look at classical paintings, we see that ‘Salvator Mundi’ ranks first at $450 million. When the painting was first discovered in 2005, there was initial doubt about whether it was actually Leonardo's. It was later confirmed that it was. It is said that Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, purchased this work.
-‘The Card Players’, Paul Cézanne (1890-1892), $250 million
An artist influenced by Impressionism. Art circles often kept Paul Cézanne from exhibitions, saying he was not a painter. His family was very wealthy. His father didn't want him to become a painter, saying, ‘This kid will become a bum.’ Cézanne insisted, but he only sold a few paintings during his lifetime. He later gained such prominence that his paintings are now extremely valuable.
-“The Change,” Willem de Kooning (1955), $300 million
Born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, he fled to America as a fugitive. There, he made a name for himself as a wall painter. Then, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) discovered him. Painter Arshile Gorky was his close friend. Willem de Kooning became a world-renowned figure and influenced many artists. Today, all major museums are trying to acquire his works.
-“When Will You Marry?”, Paul Gauguin (1892), $210 million
The artist was born in Paris and lived a relatively modest life. At one point in his life, he went to Tahiti, where he painted indigenous women. He later returned to Paris, but society rejected him, and none of his works sold. The wealthy bourgeoisie in Paris said, “Why should we hang such animal-shaped women in our homes?” Because at the time, portraits of beautiful women by Jean-Honoré Fragonard and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres were very famous.
-‘Dream (Bed)’, Frida Kahlo (1940), $54.7 million
When the artist was young, a tram hit the bus she was traveling on. She underwent surgery. This was a major trauma for Kahlo, and it is reflected in her works. She later married fellow painter Diego Rivera. The lives of these two important figures who entered the art world are closely followed. They treat Frida Kahlo like a novel. She was an artist who created non-stop until her death. Her work, ‘El sueño (La cama),’ sold at auction for $54.7 million.
A few of the most expensive Turkish paintings...
-‘The Splitting of the Atom and the Plant Life’, Fahrelnissa Zeid (1962), $2.3 million
One of the most expensive artists in Turkey. In 2013, this painting broke a record in contemporary Turkish painting when it sold for $2,741,000 at Christie's Dubai auction house. I was meeting Zeid. She said of this painting, "This is a very important painting of mine; we're not selling it."
-"Preparing Coffee," Osman Hamdi Bey, (1881), £1,016,000
Until recently thought lost, the painting "Preparing Coffee," by world-renowned artist Osman Hamdi Bey, was sold at auction this year at Sotheby's in London. But his most famous painting is "The Tortoise Trainer."
-"A Chair/A Bird/Large Nude/Red Figure/A Creature," Ömer Uluç (1990), £7,850,000
His value was not widely recognized during his lifetime. His cancer led to the purchase of many works by him. He died in 2010, earning some money in his last two years. Ömer Uluç is also my cousin; we are both cousins. He developed a love for painting around the age of 18 or 19, a bohemian. He had a unique artistic approach. As a gallery owner, I was his first client. He also wanted to do something in France and America, but he ran out of time.
- ‘Dream Falls’, Erol Akyavaş (1982), 5,273,000 Turkish Lira
A prominent painter, a phenomenal man. We spent a lot of time together in America. He worked in Bedri Rahmi’s (Eyüboğlu) studio. He also spent time in Fernand Léger’s studio in Paris. He is also a fashion photographer. He made a living through fashion photography in America. He painted surrealist and erotic paintings until 1981. Later, he developed an interest in Islamic art. He contracted cancer and died in 1999.
- ‘Duvar Dibi V’, Neşet Günal (1923-2002), 4.6 million Turkish Lira
Excluding Osman Hamdi Bey, Günal is one of the most expensive figurative painters in our country. Prices for his works range between $300,000 and $500,000. He also worked in Fernand Léger’s studio. His total number of works does not exceed 120.
'Blue Symphony,' Burhan Doğançay (1987), 2.2 million lira
Some of the highest-selling works in Turkish modern art belong to Burhan Doğançay. Murat Ülker purchased his most famous painting, 'Blue Symphony,' for 2.2 million lira in 2009. Doğançay was a dedicated artist throughout his life, and his works are included in museums and private collections in 60 countries.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/hurriyet-pazar/dunyanin-en-degerli-eserleri-fiyatlari-arttikca-artiyor-43037075