In 2021, several collectors in Vienna Gallery W&K-Wienerrotor & Kohlbacher The Austrian capital presented us with a poorly framed and very dirty painting by Gustav Klimt with a barely visible inheritance seal. experts in … Artist Alfred Weidinger, author of a catalog raisonné published in 2007, quickly identified this painting as the lost painting of an African prince, an important representative of the Osu (Ga) of Ghana, which he had been searching for for 20 years. Botanical elements appear on the reverse side. Weidinger explains that this portrait has a special meaning. “The composition and pictorial direction demonstrate the tendency towards decorative elements that characterized Klimt’s later work, and are directly linked to his innovative later portraiture.” In terms of period and style, this work is close to the famous 1898 portrait of Sonya Knipps.
In 1897, Gustav Klimt and his colleague Franz Matsch probably contracted Ashanti fever. Like up to 10,000 Viennese people each day, they both made the pilgrimage to the Prater River and marveled at the so-called “Ashanti” (actually the Osu or Ga people of Ghana) in one of the popular Viennese cities. “Velkerchaouen” (Human Zoo) At Tiergarten am Schüttel. From 1875 to the 1930s, these were indigenous exhibits in zoos and amusement parks, or at world and colonial exhibitions in Europe, the United States, and Japan, stigmatized as “savage” or “exotic.” In the 19th century they achieved great success.
The two artists were particularly interested in the chieftains of the Osu tribe. Prince William New Naughty Dwona. Klimt painted him in profile, while Franz Matsch painted him almost from the front. A more traditional portrait of Matsch is now in the Luxembourg Museum.
Klimt’s paintings remained in his hands until after his death. Auctioned at S. Kende Hall in Vienna in May 1923 “Portrait of a three-quarter black man in profile, looking to the right, with a white coat draped over his shoulders.” In 1928, it was lent to the artist’s commemorative exhibition at the Vienna Secession. it was the property of Ernestine Klein. She and her husband Felix converted Klimt’s former studio into their home in Vienna’s Hietzing district. Marriage had to be like thisAppointed to Wheel in 1938 because of his Jewish background. They survived the war in Monaco. However, his works of art, including portraits of African princes, have disappeared.
After restoration of the painting and intense negotiations, an agreement was finally reached. Compensation agreement with Ernestine and Felix Klein’s heirs. Federal Monuments Office approved for export. The portrait was scheduled to be presented in the 2024 edition of Tefaf, but legal issues prevented it from being published. But this year, he attended the fair and became the star of the W&K-Wienerroither & Kohlbacher gallery. his shipwreck 15 million euros.
Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Officeordered the seizure of the painting It was painted by Gustav Klimt at the request of the Hungarian authorities; Exported irregularly. Hungarian authorities suspect that the owner concealed the painting’s identity as Klimt’s work during the export permit process, local public broadcaster ORF reported. The seizure adds a new chapter to the painting’s already complicated history. The canvas remained in Hungary for about 50 years. In May, the Hungarian newspaper HVG reported that Hungarian authorities may have improperly allowed the paintings to be exported.
The painting has been in Hungary since 1938, brought to it by its owners, the Klein family, who were fleeing the Nazis. However, because the Hungarian owner did not do so, it was not returned to the family, but the ownership was not changed. The Hungarian owner was just a manager. Austrian newspaper Der Standard claimed earlier this year that the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport had wrongly allowed the work to be exported, claiming it had no special value. The newspaper said paintings that do not belong to the artist will require an export license if they are more than 50 years old and have a value of more than 1 million Hungarian forints, equivalent to about 2,500 euros. Authorities may not have detected a stamp indicating that the painting came from Gustav Klimt’s estate.
Zofia Vegvály of the Budapest Institute said in a blog post about the study of the painting that the seal of heritage is present, even if it is not easily visible. The artist’s name will be written on the wooden frame.the latter, he says, is visible only under infrared light.
HVG reported that Hungarian authorities denied issuing an export permit. However, Der Standard claims to have reviewed the permit issued by the Austrian Federal Monuments Office on July 21, 2023, which was provided to the paper by both the agency and the gallery.
A spokesperson for the Vienna Roter & Kohlbacher Gallery said the painting was inspected by Hungarian authorities in 2023 and declared safe. “Export is now permitted,” he said in an email. A scanned copy of Hungary’s official confirmation letter obtained by Artnet News states that “no export license is required.” Now it is up to Hungary to prove that the painting was illegally taken out of the country. In that case, the painting must be returned and cannot leave the country as it is a protected work.
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