Christie's to Auction Klimt Landscape on November 17

The 1915-1916 masterpiece is expected to fetch up to $80 million at the upcoming New York City evening sale.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Fine Art

Christie's to Auction Klimt Landscape on November 17

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Christie's will auction Gustav Klimt's landscape Litzlbergkeller in New York City on November 17, 2026. The piece carries a pre-sale estimate between $60 million and $80 million.

Why it matters

The sale highlights the enduring value of Klimt's work in the private art market, where high-profile landscapes remain highly sought after by collectors. This auction serves as a major indicator of current demand for significant 20th-century art.

The painting previously sold for $14.7 million in 1997, which adjusts to roughly $30.9 million in today's dollars. The record price for a work by Gustav Klimt currently stands at $236.4 million.

The players

Christie's

Christie's is a world-renowned British auction house founded in 1766 that handles high-end art and luxury goods.

Gustav Klimt

Gustav Klimt was a prominent Austrian symbolist painter and a primary member of the Vienna Secession movement.

Otto Primavesi

Otto Primavesi was a wealthy Austrian banker and patron of the arts who commissioned works from the Vienna Secessionists.

The details

Commissioned by Otto Primavesi, the 1915-1916 painting depicts the Litzlberg Cellar near Lake Attersee using telescope studies and postcard views. The work has remained in a private collection for nearly three decades leading up to this offering.

1915-1916: Gustav Klimt painted the landscape Litzlbergkeller.
May 1997: The painting sold for $14.7 million.
October 27-29, 2026: The painting will be exhibited in Hong Kong.
November 17, 2026: Christie's will hold the auction for the painting.

Industry Dynamics

This auction takes place within the ongoing global competition for rare 20th-century masterpieces among elite collectors. It marks a significant moment for the high-end art market as it looks to maintain momentum following previous record-breaking sales of Klimt's work.

Prospective bidders and art enthusiasts can view the painting during its exhibition in Hong Kong from October 27-29, 2026. The final auction proceedings will be conducted by Christie's in New York City on November 17, 2026.

The takeaway

Collectors interested in high-value fine art often track auction house guarantees as indicators of an item's market stability. The upcoming sale provides a rare chance to see a long-held private piece before it potentially disappears back into a private collection.