Dame mit Fächer (Lady with a Fan)
Painting on canvas • Gustav Klimt (Austrian, 1862–1918)
Style & Movement
Vienna Secession, Art Nouveau (Jugendstil), Symbolism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas employing expressive brushwork, Chinoiserie-inspired patterns, and vibrant color layering
Creation Period
1917-1918
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 102 x 102 cm (roughly 40 x 40 inches); Square format
Subject Description
A portrait of an unidentified woman holding a fan, surrounded by motifs of Chinese decorative arts including a phoenix (Fenghuang), crane, and lotus blossoms, set against a saturated yellow background. The composition emphasizes elegance and exoticism.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the work has been well-preserved with vibrant pigment retention and stable canvas tension.
Estimated Market Value
$100 million - $120 million USD
Auction Estimate
Negotiable/Estimate on Request (last sold for £85.3 million / $108.4 million)
Provenance History
Left unfinished on an easel in Klimt's studio upon his death; formerly in the collection of Erwin Böhler, later Rudolf Leopold; sold at Sotheby's London in June 2023 for a record-breaking sum.
Art Historical Significance
Klimt's final completed masterpiece; it represents the pinnacle of his late 'decorative' style and his fascination with Japonisme and Chinese motifs, marking a departure from his earlier Gold Phase.
Notable Features
The square format is a signature of Klimt's later works; the unique blend of a real-life sitter with highly stylized, flattened orientalist backgrounds; the work was found on his easel after his death.
Condition Issues
Minor age-related craquelure common for oil on canvas of this period; some areas show thinner application as it was one of the last works he touched.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled humidity (45-55%) and temperature; protect with UV-filtering museum glass; ensure professional monitoring for any paint film stabilization.