A once-forgotten portrait of an African prince has been authenticated as a genuine masterpiece by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, sending ripples through the art world.
BBC reported that the portrait was unveiled at the prestigious European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in Maastricht, Netherlands. Created during Vienna’s 1887 Exhibition of Races, the portrait’s subject has been identified as Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona of Ghana’s Osu tribe.
The painting’s journey has been anything but straightforward. Initially put up for auction with an uncertain outcome, it later found its way into the possession of Ernestine Klein, who acquired Klimt’s studio after his death.
Following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, the Klein family, who were Jewish, fled into exile, and the portrait’s whereabouts remained a mystery for decades.
In 2021, the painting resurfaced when a collector brought it to a gallery in Vienna, sparking renewed interest and reintroducing it to the world.
After a thorough restoration process, experts confirmed its authenticity as a Klimt, drawing considerable attention from museums and private collectors.
Though initially slated for its public debut at TEFAF in 2024, ownership disputes with the Klein family’s heirs delayed its unveiling. However, with the legal issues now resolved, the portrait was officially displayed this year at the TEFAF fair in Maastricht.
The painting is currently on the market for €15 million (about $16.3 million).
Gustav Klimt, one of the most influential artists in European art history, remains widely regarded for his exceptional contributions to art. In 2023, another of his works, “Lady with a Fan,” sold for a record-breaking £ 85.3 million ($108.4 million) at auction, setting the highest price ever achieved for an artwork at a European auction.
This newly authenticated portrait of the African prince is recognized not only for its artistic merit but also for its historical significance. It offers fresh insight into Klimt’s diverse body of work and sheds new light on its cultural and art historical value.
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