Ronald Lauder has reportedly paid $135 million for a 1907 portrait by Gustav Klimt, possibly the highest sum ever paid for a painting.
Lauder referred to the portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer as "our Mona Lisa." The painting was seized by the Nazis during World War II, and is now destined for the Neue Galerie in Manhattan. Lauder is a founder of the Neue Galerie and a former American ambassador to Austria.
Modern Art Notes points out that it’s nearly impossible to determine whether this is the highest amount ever paid for a painting, because it was a private sale.
Christopher Benfey calls it a bargain on Slate.
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