Talk:Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer

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Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer by Gustav Klimt, 1914–1916

... that Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) sold at auction for US$236.4 million, making it the second most valuable work of art ever sold at auction? Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/nov/19/gustav-klimt-portrait-sells-for-2364m-making-it-the-second-most-expensive-artwork-sold-at-auction "A painting by Gustav Klimt has sold for a record-breaking $236.4m (£179.7m, A$364m) with fees, making it the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction and the most expensive work of modern art sold at auction"
- Reviewed: Template:Did you know nominations/Holden Special Vehicles Maloo

Converted from a redirect by Golem08 (talk). Number of QPQs required: 1. Nominator has 16 past nominations.

TarnishedPath^talk 07:39, 19 November 2025 (UTC).[reply]

Based on this page and article, no doubts on the verifiability and interestingness of the hook (though the widespread resistance on superlative-y hook meant that someone after me might request further scrutiny on the fact). Article is long and new enough, cited to reliable sources (sourced to reputable art-related website and news outlets). Article is presentable with a clear structure. Image is presentable at the mainpage in a shrinked size, and is in the public domain since the author has died a long time ago. The nominator has done QPQ. All clear for me. Regards, Jeromi Mikhael 13:33, 19 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

For whoever looks at this next, here are some additional sources: ABC, BBC, CNN, NBC, Guardian, NYT,

and here's an alternative hook if the original is taken as being too superlative-y:

ALT1 ... that Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) sold at auction for US$236.4 million, making it one of the most valuable paintings ever sold at auction?

@Jeromi Mikhael: can I get you to provide a review on the alt hook. TarnishedPath^talk 21:51, 19 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

It may be useful to add a link for List of most expensive paintings, perhaps by changing "most valuable works of art" to "most valuable paintings". Golem08 (talk) 22:45, 19 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Or "most expensive paintings". Golem08 (talk) 22:47, 19 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@Golem08:, I've updated the alt hook per your suggestion. The link may end up getting removed once this is in a prep area. TarnishedPath^talk 00:35, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@TarnishedPath: This is still superlative-y: most. Again, I have no concerns on either ALT0 or ALT1, but rather on the fact that someone else might have the concern. May I suggest some ALTs?

ALT2: ... that the painting Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer was looted by the Nazis during World War II but survived unscathed despite almost being destroyed by fire?

ALT3: ... that the painting Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer never satisfied the artist but was taken by the subject's mother before the artist considered the work finished?

Regards, Jeromi Mikhael 03:01, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I'm interested in this as it showed up at ITN too. The various hook ideas all seem interesting and so I reckon it would be good to combine them. How about:

ALT4: ... that the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) is unfinished but was looted by the Nazis, survived the war and has now sold for over $200 million?

I've added (pictured) as I trust this will be put in a picture hook slot. It's still shorter than the first hook.

Andrew🐉(talk) 15:45, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@Andrew Davidson: I like the idea of combining some of these ideas because a part of what makes this painting so interesting is its tumultuous history. However, its not accurate to say the painting survived a fire; it rather avoided one. Golem08 (talk) 17:37, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Good point. It wasn't so close to the fire so I've changed it to "survived the war", ok? Andrew🐉(talk) 17:55, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Sure, that's better. Golem08 (talk) 18:11, 20 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I like ALT3 and ALT4. I would suggest a slight variation on ALT4 to be more precise on the amount of the sale.

ALT4a: ... that the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) is unfinished but was looted by the Nazis, survived the war and has now sold at auction for US$236.4 million?

Given that the original reviewer has subsequently proposed some hooks we'll need a fresh reviewer to assess those suggestions. TarnishedPath^talk 00:15, 21 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@TarnishedPath: If I revoke my two ALTs would that meant the approval is still applicable? Regards, Jeromi Mikhael 08:41, 22 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@Jeromi Mikhael: Your approval is still valid for the initial hook you reviewed. It's if we want any promoter to run any of the hooks you suggested, and I think we do, that we need a new reviewer. TarnishedPath^talk 09:42, 22 November 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Approving the following trimmed hooks only:

ALT1a: ... that Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) is one of the most valuable paintings ever sold at auction?

ALT2a: ... that Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) avoided being destroyed by fire?

I also propose ALT0a: ... that Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer (pictured) recently became the most expensive work of modern art in history?--Laun chba ller 13:24, 2 December 2025 (UTC)[reply]