The portrait of a West African prince painted by Gustav Klimt has an estimated value of €15 million. The artwork is presently being showcased at an art fair, and what makes it particularly intriguing isn’t just its worth but also the tale associated with it.
For many years, "Portrait of Prince William Nie Norte Dowuona" was believed to be missing. Despite being created by Gustav Klimt in 1897, the artwork has not resurfaced since 1938.
The painting's recent return has sparked an uproar in the art community, and it is now available for €15 million ($16.3 million) at the TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, Netherlands.
A collecting pair had submitted the significantly dirtied painting to the exhibition space of Vienna-based art traders Wienerroither & Kohlbacher, experts particularly in Gustav Klimt’s works.
"A significant shock for us all," said Alois Wienerroither, the gallery’s managing director, during an interview with INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.
Despite their extensive experience with Klimt spanning over 25 years, the gallery owners did not immediately recognize The wealth concealed within the dirt.
"I examined the artwork; it was grimy and encased in an inferior frame, bearing little resemblance to anything by Klimt," stated Wienerroither.
Once cleaned, though, there was no question that it was indeed Klimt's long-lost portrait of a West African prince from present-day Ghana.
Gustav Klimt: A trailblazer for the Austrian vanguard
Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), an influential painter from Vienna, played a significant role as one of Austria’s leading artists during the latter part of the 19th century.
He is regarded as a key figure in Vienna Secession style, and his notably abstract depictions of women, including works like "The Kiss" and "The Golden Woman," have gained significant recognition.
In 1897, Klimt established the Vienna Secession alongside approximately 50 fellow progressive artists who sought to distance themselves from traditional historical realism. They aimed for a fresh artistic approach known as Art Nouveau. As part of this movement, Klimt took up the role of president within the newly formed organization.
During a time of change, Klimt created the portrait of the West African prince—capturing him realistically while also hinting at his future artistic style.
For Alois Wienerroither, this is a important artwork within Klimt's body of work The backdrop of flowers in the painting is contemporary and evokes memories of the portrait of Sonja Knips, the daughter from an officers' family, created a year afterward, similarly featuring a flowered setting.
Global ethnic exhibitions in Vienna
The most up-to-date art historical research suggests the prince posed for Gustav Klimt as part of one of Vienna's so-called Völkerschau ethnographic exhibitions.
Although often viewed as racially insensitive and unrespectful events by contemporary standards, these " human zoos were fashionable around the time when the century changed.
The exhibitions took place across Europe, including in Germany, and saw people representing various ethnic groups kept in open spaces, like animals in a zoo, presented for public gawking under adverse conditions.
How did Klimst encounter the prince?
For a long time, it remained uncertain how Prince from West Africa first encountered Gustav Klimt. However, in 2007, art historian, photographer, and museum administrator Alfred Weidinger released a catalog of Klimt’s works which revealed that the head of the Vienna Zoo had extended an invitation to members of the West African Osu tribe to come to Austria in 1897.
The son of the Osu king, Prince William Nii Nortey Dowuona, was dispatched to Vienna as the head of the delegation.
The prince not only sat for Klimt He was also portrayed by artist Franz Matsch, with his depiction of Nii Nortey Dowuona featured in the Musée National d'Histoire et d'Art in Luxembourg.
An exciting drama unravels surrounding the prince's artwork.
Following Gustav Klimt's passing in 1918, Ernestine Klein acquired his studio and transformed it into a villa. Although there’s no concrete evidence, she might have purchased the portrait at a Vienna auction held in 1923. Despite this uncertainty, the auction catalog from that time includes a black-and-white photograph of the artwork.
In 1928, ten years following Klimt's passing, the artwork resurfaced at a comprehensive exhibition dedicated to him.
When we finally located the return receipt," Alois Wienerroither, who was tracing the painting’s origins, explained to INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL. He continued, "Ernestine Klein received the artwork after the exhibit and confirmed its arrival with her signature.
Nevertheless, since her spouse was Jewish, the family experienced to escape from the National Socialists In 1938, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis took over Austria, "All evidence suggests that they abandoned all their possessions in the house. Upon returning after the war," everything was gone ," Wienerroither said.
Since the artwork did not surface at auction following the conflict, the gallery owner believes it likely passed into different hands via private art dealers.
When artworks seized or stolen by the National Socialists, such as those now being offered for sale, have their origins and histories examined, must be checked Alois Wienerroither consequently met with the descendants of Ernestine Klein and came to a monetary arrangement with them.
"Multiple heirs were involved, and it took considerable time before we ultimately reached an agreement," he stated to INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.
Visit with the royal clan
Moreover, the tale does not conclude here at all. In Ghana, it remains so. just the beginning "It has been established who this prince is, and his descendants have even been identified," said Alois Wienerroither.
Once more, it was simply a matter of chance.
Alfred Weidinger, the author of the Klimt catalog, had long been photographing royalty in Africa,” Wienerroither stated. It was through this work that he managed to locate the descendants of William Nii Nortey Dowuona in Ghana.
"Now he has established communication with the family. It’s incredible. They apparently still possess belongings that were retrieved from Vienna; these items remain within the family,” Wienerroither stated.
In the meantime, plans have been made for a gathering with Weidinger and descendants of William Nii Nortey Dowuona in Ghana. This event will serve as the foundation for a forthcoming 50-minute TV documentary exploring the tale of Klimt, the West African prince, and the odyssey of the artwork inspired by their encounter.
The article was originally in German.
Author: Gaby Reucher
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