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 £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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📖 Vocabulary:

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.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the title of the rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt?
2. When was the painting last seen in public?
3. Who previously owned the painting?
4. How long have the current owners had possession of the painting?
5. What is the estimated value of the painting?
6. When will the painting be auctioned?
7. In which countries will the painting be exhibited before the auction?
8. What is the significance of the rediscovery of this painting in the art world?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ 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 (1)______ since the 1960s. The im (2)______ auction (3)______ estimates its value to be over $54 million. This (4)______ has been described as a sensation due to the rarity, artistic significance, and value of the painting.

The portrait will be auctioned on (5)______ 24th on behalf of the owners and the legal successors of the Lieser family, following the (6)______ outlined in an international agreement to return Nazi-looted art to its (7)______ 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 (8)______ industrialists in Vienna, originally owned the portrait.

Ernst Ploil, co-Managing Director of Kinsky (9)______ 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 (10)______ of Klimt’s work. However, the auction house took an active approach in researching the (11)______ family as potential restitution claimants and approached (12)______ based on their previous experience with restitution proceedings.

Gustav Klimt’s art has consistently fetched high (13)______ at auction. In June, his painting “Lady with a Fan” sold for £85.3 million, making it the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe. The discovery of the “Portrait of (14)______ 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 (15)______ item in the (16)______ auction.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

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

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. renowned
2. sensation
3. rarity
4. significance
5. descendants
6. exhibited
7. industrialists
8. restitution
9. comprehensive
10. catalogs
11. fetched
12. legacy
13. anticipation
14. rediscovery
15. excitement

Meanings:
(A) Achieved a particular price when sold
(B) The importance of something, often in terms of its influence or meaning
(C) A phenomenon that causes great interest and excitement
(D) Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past
(E) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
(F) People who are the direct offspring or later generations of an individual or family
(G) A systematic list of items, especially one in alphabetical or other systematic order
(H) The act of returning something lost or stolen to its proper owner
(I) Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects
(J) The state or quality of being very uncommon or scarce
(K) The feeling of excited expectation about something that is going to happen
(L) The act or process of finding something that was lost or hidden
(M) Widely known and esteemed for excellence or achievement
(N) Displayed publicly, typically in a gallery or museum for people to view
(O) People involved in the ownership and management of industry
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the title of the rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt?
(a) Lady with a Fan
(b) Portrait of a Jewish Family
(c) Portrait of Fraulein Lieser
(d) Lost and Found

2. When was the painting last seen in public?
(a) 1960s
(b) 1945
(c) 2019
(d) 1925

3. Who previously owned the painting?
(a) The current owners
(b) The Lieser family
(c) The im Kinsky auction house
(d) A Jewish family in Austria

4. What is the estimated value of the painting?
(a) £85.3 million
(b) Over $54 million
(c) $100 million
(d) Priceless

5. When will the painting be auctioned?
(a) June
(b) May 1st
(c) April 24th
(d) July 15th

6. In which countries will the painting be exhibited before the auction?
(a) UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong
(b) France, Italy, Spain, and China
(c) Russia, Brazil, Australia, and Japan
(d) Canada, Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa

7. Is there evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two?
(a) No
(b) Yes
(c) Maybe
(d) It is unclear

8. What is the significance of the rediscovery of the painting?
(a) It is the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe
(b) It adds to the legacy and value of Klimt’s artwork
(c) It is a highly anticipated item in the upcoming auction
(d) All of the above

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. There is currently no evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two, according to Ernst Ploil of Kinsky Auction House.
2. A painting by Gustav Klimt, titled “Portrait of Fraulein Lieser,” has not been discovered in Vienna after being lost for almost a century.
3. The painting was last seen in public in 1925 and was previously owned by a Jewish family in Austria.
4. The im Kinsky auction house estimates the value of the painting to be over $54 million.
5. The painting will not be auctioned on April 24th following international principles for returning Nazi-looted art to rightful descendants.
6. Gustav Klimt’s artwork does not consistently fetch high prices at auction, with his painting “Lady with a Fan” not selling for £85.3 million, the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe.
7. Before the auction, the painting will be exhibited in various international locations, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong.
8. The current owners of the painting have not had it in their possession since the 1960s.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the estimated value of the rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt?
2. Who were the previous owners of the painting before it was rediscovered?
3. How will the auction of the painting adhere to international agreements regarding Nazi-looted art?
4. What evidence is there to suggest that the painting was not looted or stolen during World War Two?
5. What is the significance of the rediscovery of this painting for Gustav Klimt’s legacy and artwork?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the title of the rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt?
“Portrait of Fraulein Lieser”

2. When was the painting last seen in public?
1925

3. Who previously owned the painting?
A Jewish family in Austria, the Lieser family

4. How long have the current owners had possession of the painting?
Since the 1960s

5. What is the estimated value of the painting?
Over $54 million

6. When will the painting be auctioned?
On April 24th

7. In which countries will the painting be exhibited before the auction?
The UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong

8. What is the significance of the rediscovery of this painting in the art world?
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.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) owners
(2) Kinsky
(3) house
(4) rediscovery
(5) April
(6) principles
(7) rightful
(8) Jewish
(9) Auction
(10) catalogs
(11) Lieser
(12) representatives
(13) prices
(14) Fraulein
(15) anticipated
(16) upcoming
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. renowned
Answer: (M) Widely known and esteemed for excellence or achievement

2. sensation
Answer: (C) A phenomenon that causes great interest and excitement

3. rarity
Answer: (J) The state or quality of being very uncommon or scarce

4. significance
Answer: (B) The importance of something, often in terms of its influence or meaning

5. descendants
Answer: (F) People who are the direct offspring or later generations of an individual or family

6. exhibited
Answer: (N) Displayed publicly, typically in a gallery or museum for people to view

7. industrialists
Answer: (O) People involved in the ownership and management of industry

8. restitution
Answer: (H) The act of returning something lost or stolen to its proper owner

9. comprehensive
Answer: (I) Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects

10. catalogs
Answer: (G) A systematic list of items, especially one in alphabetical or other systematic order

11. fetched
Answer: (A) Achieved a particular price when sold

12. legacy
Answer: (D) Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past

13. anticipation
Answer: (K) The feeling of excited expectation about something that is going to happen

14. rediscovery
Answer: (L) The act or process of finding something that was lost or hidden

15. excitement
Answer: (E) A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the title of the rediscovered painting by Gustav Klimt?
Answer: (c) Portrait of Fraulein Lieser

2. When was the painting last seen in public?
Answer: (d) 1925

3. Who previously owned the painting?
Answer: (d) A Jewish family in Austria

4. What is the estimated value of the painting?
Answer: (b) Over $54 million

5. When will the painting be auctioned?
Answer: (c) April 24th

6. In which countries will the painting be exhibited before the auction?
Answer: (a) UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong

7. Is there evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two?
Answer: (a) No

8. What is the significance of the rediscovery of the painting?
Answer: (b) It adds to the legacy and value of Klimt’s artwork
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. There is currently no evidence to suggest that the painting was looted or stolen during World War Two, according to Ernst Ploil of Kinsky Auction House. (Answer: True)
2. A painting by Gustav Klimt, titled “Portrait of Fraulein Lieser,” has not been discovered in Vienna after being lost for almost a century. (Answer: False)
3. The painting was last seen in public in 1925 and was previously owned by a Jewish family in Austria. (Answer: True)
4. The im Kinsky auction house estimates the value of the painting to be over $54 million. (Answer: True)
5. The painting will not be auctioned on April 24th following international principles for returning Nazi-looted art to rightful descendants. (Answer: False)
6. Gustav Klimt’s artwork does not consistently fetch high prices at auction, with his painting “Lady with a Fan” not selling for £85.3 million, the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe. (Answer: False)
7. Before the auction, the painting will be exhibited in various international locations, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Hong Kong. (Answer: True)
8. The current owners of the painting have not had it in their possession since the 1960s. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧