Gustav Klimt, the renowned Austrian Symbolist painter, is celebrated for his opulent and gilded masterpieces that have become milestones in modern art history. However, it is a lesser-known work, “Dame mit Fächer” (Lady with a Fan), that has etched its name in art auction history as the most valuable painting ever sold at auction in Europe, fetching a staggering £85.3m ($108.4m). This exquisite painting, left unfinished on Klimt’s easel when he tragically succumbed to the influenza pandemic in 1918, captures a world of interweaving patterns, textures, and cultural influences that leave viewers mesmerised.
A Departure from Familiar Opulence
In stark contrast to Klimt’s more famous gilded canvases, “Lady with a Fan,” created in 1917-18, takes us on a journey to a realm of enchanting fluidity. The young woman portrayed in the painting remains an enigmatic figure, lost in her thoughts and seemingly unaware of our presence. Dressed in an ornate robe, delicately holding a folding fan, she stands amidst a carefully choreographed chaos of pattern and pigment that captivates the viewer.
An Inventory of Klimt’s Cultural Obsessions
“Lady with a Fan” is a vibrant display of Klimt’s cultural passions, drawing inspiration from flowing Chinese robes and the lyrical beauty of Japanese ukiyo-e woodcuts. Klimt’s collection of Japanese prints adorned his home’s walls, offering a glimpse into his artistic influences. The young woman’s green and gold striped robe, porcelain complexion, chestnut curls, and the fan’s fluttering vermillion leaves all amalgamate in a riotous yet harmonious display. The painting’s background, reminiscent of Japanese woodblocks and painted Chinese porcelain, adds to its ethereal quality, blurring the lines between reality and daydream.
Symbolism and Mythical Imagery
Klimt weaves an intricate fabric of symbolism and mythical imagery, further enriching the narrative of “Lady with a Fan.” In the background, a mystical phoenix, representing grace and virtue in Chinese mythology, soars alongside a long-legged crane, an emblem of wisdom and immortality. Pink lotus flowers burst forth, symbolising the timeless beauty that transcends the temporal nature of life.
The Journey to Auction Triumph
“Lady with a Fan” is a rare Klimt portrait in private ownership. In 1994, it was last sold for $11.6m (£9m), but almost three decades later, it achieved an unprecedented auction record, surpassing iconic works by artists like René Magritte, Alberto Giacometti, and Claude Monet. The painting’s distinct departure from Klimt’s earlier gold-leafed masterpieces showcases the artist’s remarkable creative evolution in the last decade of his life.
The Power of Unfinishedness
“Lady with a Fan” continues to intrigue art enthusiasts and experts due to its unfinished nature. Far looser and more expressive in its brushstrokes, the painting relies on blurred textures, both material and psychological, where everything melds into a single scintillating substance. Visible patches of bare linen canvas add to the allure, suggesting that the work might have been left incomplete intentionally. Yet, it is precisely this unfinished quality that elevates the painting, encapsulating the essence of flux and fragmentation.
The Captivating Legacy of “Lady with a Fan”
Gustav Klimt’s “Lady with a Fan” stands as an enchanting testament to the artist’s cultural obsessions, artistic evolution, and the mastery of symbolism. Its allure lies in its ability to transport viewers to a realm of captivating fluidity, where patterns, textures, and mythic imagery converge. This masterpiece, unfinished and unyielding in its allure, remains a beacon of Klimt’s artistic brilliance, forever immortalising the young woman lost in her reverie, and the artist himself, on the threshold of his untimely departure.
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