Being a regular client, I frequently head to London’s Mayfair district to cover Sotheby’s photography. I often photograph a lot of their private and public events for upcoming art auctions or private dinners but this particular shoot was quite a special one.
Gustav Klimt is one of my favourite artists (him and Frida Khalo) so when I was asked to photograph his Bauerngarten, the star of Sothebys Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sale on 1 March in London this year prior to it’s sale to promote the auction you can probably imagine how excited I felt.
“Innovative in its composition and jewel-like in its exquisite blaze of colours, it is one of the artist’s greatest masterpieces ever to come to auction.” – Sotheby’s London
During the summer months, from 1900 onwards, Klimt travelled out of Vienna to Litzlberg on the Attersee with his friends and family to relax and paint. In the rustic garden of the Mayr-Hof Klimt found inspiration for the work. The oil painting from 1907, shows a field of poppies, daisies, zinnia and roses.
It was valued to sell for at least £35 million and was was fought over at the auction by four telephone bidders. It ended up selling for a staggering £48 million and is now the third most expensive painting in European history!
I was briefed to capture the painting in a interesting and contemporary way so opted for some long exposures with some movement in the images. I love to be creative with my photography and even with events, I’m always looking for interesting angles and compositions. If you like my contemporary Sotheby’s photography shoot and would like to know more, you can find all the details right here.
Check out more Sotheby’s photography here or have a look around at some other events below.
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