A poignant painting collaboratively created by brothers Gustav and Ernst Klimt has sold for an astounding $2.8 million at Sotheby’s Old Master & 19th Century Evening Auction in London, per news.artnet.com.
The artwork, “Hanswurst Delivering an Impromental Performance in Rothenburg” (1886-1888), tells a heart-wrenching story of artistic inheritance and brotherly commitment. Originally started by Ernst Klimt, who died unexpectedly at 29, the painting was lovingly completed by his famous brother Gustav during a period of profound grief.
Struggling with the emotional weight of losing both his brother and father in the same year, Gustav painstakingly finished the work, even adding portraits of their family members to the original composition. His sister Hermine recalled his immense difficulty in completing the piece, noting how he would repeatedly say, “I can’t finish it!” before ultimately summoning the willpower to do so.
The painting, which was originally part of a decorative panel for Austria’s Burgtheater, carried deep personal significance. Gustav signed the work under his brother’s name and incorporated intimate family portraits into the bustling market scene depicting the German comedic character Hanswurst.
At auction, the artwork sparked a fierce six-way bidding battle, ultimately selling for 16 times its 1984 price. Sotheby’s specialist Claude Piening described the work as “incredibly touching” and “utterly unique,” highlighting its exceptional historical and emotional value.
The sale not only commemorates the Klimt brothers’ artistic legacy but also serves as a powerful symbol of familial love, creative resilience and the enduring power of artistic memory.
- Featured image: Gustav Klimt and Ernst Klimt, Hanswurst Delivering an Impromptu Performance in Rothenburg/Tristan Fewings /Getty Images for Sotheby’s.
