Adele Bloch-Bauer (9th of August, 1881 – 24th of January, 1925) was an wealthy Austrian socialite and she used her money to help support artists. Her husband commissioned a painting of her. In 1907 Gustav Klimt painted “The Woman In Gold,” and it was also referred to as the “Austrian Mona Lisa.” A bout of meningitis claimed her life in 1925. She was only 43-years-old.
“After her death, the “Klimt Hall” was turned into a memorial room for her. In her will, she bequeathed her money to many charities, among them The Society of Children’s Friends. She donated her library to the Viennese Public and Workers’ Library. She also requested that her husband donate Klimt’s paintings to the Austrian Gallery after his death.”
Shapira, Elana. “Adele Bloch-Bauer | Jewish Women’s Archive.” Jwa.org, 2009, jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/bloch-bauer-adele.
Her husband kept her portrait hung and then WWI began. Like most works of art in Europe, Adele’s entire art collection was stolen by the Nazis. Some of her remaining family members remained in Austria, while others fled. Most notably, her husband Ferdinand and her niece Maria Altmann. She immigrated to the United States with her husband during the war. After WWII, the Austrian government got hold of the painting and it was displayed in Vienna at the Belvedere Gallery.
In the early 2000’s the Republic of Austria v. Altmann case began. Mrs. Altmann fought to have her aunt’s portrait and paintings returned to her family. In 2006, Maria Altmann and her lawyer E. Randol "Randy" Schoenberg won. She sold the painting of her aunt and now it’s on display in the Neue Galerie exhibit in New York. At the age of 94, Maria Altmann passed away.
The case became so renowned, that a film titled “Woman In Gold,” was made in 2015. The emotional historical-drama starred Helen Mirren, Daniel Bruhl, and Ryan Reynolds.
At the Met Gala (2026), singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams payed respect and homage to that masterful painting and the resilient history behind brining the painting back to the family member’s of Adele Bloch-Bauer.
Sources:
“Adele Bloch-Bauer | Jewish Women’s Archive.” Jwa.org, 2009, jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/bloch-bauer-adele.
Snow, Emily. “Masterpiece Story: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer by Gustav Klimt.” DailyArt Magazine, 25 July 2022, www.dailyartmagazine.com/portrait-of-adele-bloch-bauer/.
Shapira, Elana. “Adele Bloch-Bauer | Jewish Women’s Archive.” Jwa.org, 2009, jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/bloch-bauer-adele.
Special, O’Connor. “Maria Altmann: Maria Altmann, 94, Dies after Winning Return of Painting Seized by Nazis.” Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2011, www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-maria-altmann-20110208-story.html.
The Woman In Gold (2015)
Links:
Adele Bloch-Bauer was a wealthy society woman, hostess of a renowned Viennese salon, art patron, and philanthropist. Her famous portraits by
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/portrait-of-adele-bloch-bauer/
Popularly known as the Lady in Gold, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I is Gustav Klimt’s most significant work of portraiture.
https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-maria-altmann-20110208-story.html
The 82-year-old grandmother went to the U.S. Supreme Court in successful battle for famous portrait of her aunt and other artworks.
