A painting by the renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, which was believed to be lost for almost a century, has been discovered in Vienna. The portrait, titled "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser," was last seen in public in 1925 and was previously owned by a Jewish family in Austria. The painting has been in the possession of the current owners since the 1960s. The im Kinsky auction house estimates its value to be over $54 million. This rediscovery has been described as a sensation due to the rarity, artistic significance, and value of the painting.
The portrait will be auctioned on April 24th on behalf of the owners and the legal successors of the Lieser family, following the principles outlined in an international agreement to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful descendants. Before the auction, the painting will be exhibited in various international locations, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong. The Lieser family, who were wealthy Jewish industrialists in Vienna, originally owned the portrait.
Ernst Ploil, co-Managing Director of Kinsky Auction House, stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two. The painting was considered lost and was not expected to ever reappear, as it was not listed in comprehensive catalogs of Klimt's work. However, the auction house took an active approach in researching the Lieser family as potential restitution claimants and approached representatives based on their previous experience with restitution proceedings.
Gustav Klimt's art has consistently fetched high prices at auction. In June, his painting "Lady with a Fan" sold for Β£85.3 million, making it the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe. The discovery of the "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser" adds to the legacy and value of Klimt's artwork.
Overall, the rediscovery of Gustav Klimt's long-lost portrait after almost a century has caused great excitement in the art world. The painting's historical significance, combined with its estimated value, has made it a highly anticipated item in the upcoming auction.
Original news source: Gustav Klimt portrait found after almost 100 years (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the main points. They should focus on capturing the key details and events mentioned in the article. After they have finished, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups and compare their responses.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups and have them discuss their opinions on the rediscovery of the painting. They should consider questions such as whether they think the painting should be returned to the Lieser family, the ethical implications of selling looted art, and the value of preserving historical artifacts. After discussing, have each group present their opinions to the class and facilitate a class-wide discussion.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pencil. Instruct them to sketch their own interpretation of what they think the "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser" might look like based on the information provided in the article. After they have finished, have students share their sketches in pairs or small groups and discuss the similarities and differences in their interpretations.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose 10-15 vocabulary words from the article and write them on separate slips of paper. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and select a word without looking. They must then draw a picture to represent that word while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Continue until all the words have been guessed, and then tally up the points to determine the winning team.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct students to work in pairs or small groups and discuss their predictions for the future of the "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser." They should consider questions such as whether they think it will sell for its estimated value, what impact the auction will have on the art market, and whether the painting will remain in the public eye or end up in a private collection. After discussing, have each group present their predictions to the class and facilitate a class-wide discussion.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
"Portrait of Fraulein Lieser"
1925
A Jewish family in Austria, the Lieser family
Since the 1960s
Over $54 million
On April 24th
The UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong
The rediscovery of this long-lost portrait by Gustav Klimt has caused great excitement in the art world due to its historical significance, rarity, and estimated value.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A painting by the renowned Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, which was believed to be lost for almost a century, has been discovered in Vienna. The portrait, titled "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser," was last seen in public in 1925 and was previously owned by a Jewish family in Austria. The painting has been in the possession of the current since the 1960s. The im auction estimates its value to be over $54 million. This has been described as a sensation due to the rarity, artistic significance, and value of the painting. The portrait will be auctioned on 24th on behalf of the owners and the legal successors of the Lieser family, following the outlined in an international agreement to return Nazi-looted art to its descendants. Before the auction, the painting will be exhibited in various international locations, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong. The Lieser family, who were wealthy industrialists in Vienna, originally owned the portrait. Ernst Ploil, co-Managing Director of Kinsky House, stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two. The painting was considered lost and was not expected to ever reappear, as it was not listed in comprehensive of Klimt's work. However, the auction house took an active approach in researching the family as potential restitution claimants and approached based on their previous experience with restitution proceedings. Gustav Klimt's art has consistently fetched high at auction. In June, his painting "Lady with a Fan" sold for Β£85.3 million, making it the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe. The discovery of the "Portrait of Lieser" adds to the legacy and value of Klimt's artwork. Overall, the rediscovery of Gustav Klimt's long-lost portrait after almost a century has caused great excitement in the art world. The painting's historical significance, combined with its estimated value, has made it a highly item in the auction.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think it would feel like to discover a lost painting that is worth millions of dollars?
2. How important do you think it is to return Nazi-looted art to its rightful descendants? Why or why not?
3. Do you think the current owners of the painting should keep it or sell it at auction? Why?
4. How do you think the Lieser family would feel about the rediscovery of their lost painting?
5. Do you think it's fair that the painting will be exhibited in various international locations before the auction? Why or why not?
6. What do you think it would be like to own a valuable piece of artwork like the "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser"?
7. How would you feel if you discovered that a painting you owned was actually worth millions of dollars?
8. Do you think it's important for art to be displayed in public exhibitions, or should it only be seen by private collectors? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the art world will react to the rediscovery of this lost painting by Gustav Klimt?
10. Do you think the value of a piece of artwork is determined by its historical significance or by its artistic quality? Why or why not?
11. What is your opinion on the high prices that Gustav Klimt's art fetches at auction?
12. How do you think the art market affects the way artists create and sell their work?
13. Do you think it's possible for a painting to be lost for almost a century without anyone realizing it? Why or why not?
14. How would you feel if a valuable painting that belonged to your family was lost and then rediscovered many years later?
15. What do you think the future holds for the "Portrait of Fraulein Lieser" after it is sold at auction?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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