𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐯 𝐊𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐭’𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝!

[TANDAO MEDIA]- An early painting by the legendary Austrian painter Gustav Klimt has resurfaced after being MIA since the 1930s. This gem of a portrait features Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona, a distinguished figure from the Ga people in West Africa, painted back in 1897. The prince is captured in profile against a backdrop of whimsical florals, standing just over 2 feet tall. Now, this masterpiece is proudly on display at the prestigious Viennese gallery Wienerroither & Kohlbacher (W&K) at the renowned art fair TEFAF Maastricht in the Netherlands, with a hefty price tag of €15 million (approximately $16.3 million).

The journey of this painting is nothing short of a thriller novel plot. Covered in grime and bearing a faint estate stamp by Klimt himself, the artwork was brought to light in 2023 when two collectors stumbled upon it and reached out to W&K gallery. Thanks to the expertise of art historian Alfred Weidinger, who had been on the hunt for this piece for two decades, the authenticity of the portrait was confirmed.

The history behind this painting is as intriguing as the artwork itself. Auctioned from Klimt’s estate in 1923 and later exhibited by Ernestine Klein in 1928, the portrait found itself lost in the chaos of World War II. After years of mystery, extensive restoration work, and a heartfelt restitution settlement with Klein’s heirs, the painting has finally emerged from the shadows and into the public eye.

Painted during the Vienna Völkerschau of 1897, an era of colonialist-era ethnographic displays, Klimt’s portrait reflects a shift in his artistic style towards decorative elements. Known for his iconic piece The Kiss, which draws crowds at Vienna’s Belvedere Museum, Klimt’s legacy continues to shine brightly. In fact, his recent masterpiece, a portrait of an unidentified woman with a fan, made headlines in 2023 by fetching a staggering £85.3 million ($108.4 million) at auction, setting a new European record.

EDITOR’S PICK!

And the surprises don’t stop there! Last year, another long-lost Klimt painting, Portrait of Fräulein Lieser, believed to be one of his final works, sold for €30 million ($32 million). The rediscovery of these hidden treasures serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Gustav Klimt and the timeless allure of his art. So, next time you think you’ve seen it all, remember that there may still be hidden masterpieces waiting to be unveiled.