In brief
After resurfacing at the TEFAF Maastricht fair, the nearly century-old Klimt painting of an African prince is under negotiation for sale, with provenance checks underway, according to the gallery presenting the work.
A recently rediscovered portrait of an African prince by the renowned artist Gustav Klimt has captured the attention of art collectors and historians alike at the TEFAF Maastricht art fair in the Netherlands. The painting, a striking representation of Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona against a floral backdrop, was showcased by the Vienna-based gallery, Wienerroither and Kohlbacher, at a price of 15 million euros (approximately $16.4 million). "We are currently in active negotiations with a major museum," said co-founder Lui Wienerroither, although he refrained from disclosing the museum's identity. Unlike typical transactions in contemporary art fairs, significant sales at TEFAF often finalize post-event to facilitate the review of provenance and authenticity.The historical significance of the painting stems from its ties to a troubling chapter in colonial history, as Prince Dowuona was part of a group from the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana) that was exhibited in colonial "human zoos" in Europe in the late 19th century. In the summer of 1896, they were showcased in a recreated African village at Vienna's Zoological Garden, where Klimt may have encountered them. The exhibition drew considerable crowds, with up to 6,000 visitors daily, and was reflected in contemporary literature, including Peter Altenberg's novel “Ashantee.”The painting was brought to light in 2023 when an Austrian couple presented the unsigned, poorly framed artwork in dilapidated condition to the gallery. Gallery experts identified a faint Gustav Klimt estate stamp on the back, leading to further verification by Alfred Weidinger, an authority on Klimt's work. It was established that Klimt had painted the portrait of a prince of the Osu people and that it had been missing from public knowledge for decades. Historical research revealed that Klimt retained the painting until his death in 1918, and it was subsequently auctioned in 1923. It was later included in a memorial exhibition for Klimt in Vienna, loaned by a local collector, Ernestine Klein. As discussions about the sale continue, this rediscovery marks a significant moment in the appreciation of Klimt’s multifaceted legacy and the complex narratives surrounding colonial history.
