“AdeleBloch-Bauer“, (1907 – oil, silver and gold on canvas), is the subject of Gustav Klimt’s famous work featured at the “Neue Galerie” in NYC.
My niece Cybel and I paid our respects to this picture purchased by Ronald Lauder in 2006. Klimt was a member of the Vienna Secession, a group of artists that broke away from the traditional way of painting. The picture was commissioned by Adele’s husband, Ferdinand Bloch-Bauer .
Rumor has it that Mr. Lauder paid approximately $135 million for this fabulous piece. Regardless of the cost, this lovely woman warrants all the media attention and the stream of visitors she has garnered at her new home on 86th and 5th.
When you visit, you go up the winding marble staircase and into a room at the right. She looked paler than I expected at a distance, but as I moved closer, the painting became more vibrant. The “Silver and gold” on canvas is not only the glitter/glint shine of the Sun, but, there is also a gentle Moon- like “glow” about her, (very lady like).
You can see why it took Klimt 3 years to complete this layered, elaborate work.
It is beautiful.
Neue Galerie Museum for German and Austrian Art,
I didn’t even know that you could actually see this painting as I thought it was purchased to be put in some kind of private collection. Just for once the art history lovers have some luck then :).