The Old Masters auction on 28 April at the Dorotheum features a selection of works whose stories are as captivating as the subjects they depict. Among the highlights is an exceptional work by the Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi which, in its unfinished state, vividly conveys the eventful history of a historic painting (€100,000–150,000). Also outstanding are early examples of Flemish landscape painting, including a work by Herri met de Bles (€180,000–220,000) and a coastal scene by Jan Brueghel I (€50,000–70,000). Further highlights include the painting Hercules Taming the Cretan Bull by Antiveduto Gramatica, once part of the legendary collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese (€150,000–200,000), and a painting by Giuseppe Maria Crespi that was known for decades only through a black-and-white photograph (€100,000–150,000).

A multifaceted selection of Austrian and international 19th-century paintings will be presented at the Dorotheum auction on 29 April 2026. Among the highlights are two paintings by the Austrian-born Eugen von Blaas (Lot 529 €150,000–200,000 and Lot 537 €160,000–180,000), who gained considerable fame during his lifetime in Venice with his depictions of young women in traditional dress. Also coming under the hammer is a late work by the Biedermeier star Georg Ferdinand Waldmüller (€300,000–350,000). Another highlight is a watercolour by Rudolf von Alt (€20,000–30,000), once part of the collection of Archduke Ludwig Viktor, the scandal-ridden youngest brother of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The offering is further complemented by masterful portraits, including that of the young Elise Kreuzberger by Friedrich von Amerling (€40,000–60,000) and a portrait of Clementine, the eldest daughter of the painter Karl Russ (€20,000–25,000). In the Furniture, Antiques, Glass and Porcelain auction on 28 April 2026, highlights include an important bronze sculpture by Antonio Susini, influenced by Giambologna (€90,000–150,000), a rare museum-quality cabinet from Augsburg dating from around 1660/70 featuring several secret compartments (€70,000–100,000), as well as an impressive Meissen Masonic group from circa 1745–50 (€45,000–60,000) and two rare Meissen vases from around 1860/70 (€30,000–40,000).

Dorotheum can look back on an outstanding auction year. Dorotheum's international orientation is crucial to its success. Bidders from over 90 countries competed for the artworks. Dorotheum recorded spectacular increases in the higher price range over the course of the year. An absolute highlight was the drawing ‘Kauernder Rückenakt’ (Crouching Nude) by Egon Schiele from 1917, the artist's penultimate year of creativity, which changed hands for €3.23 million. Hammers falling for works by important representatives of classical modernism such as Giorgio de Chirico, Marc Chagall and Alfons Walde made this the auction house's most successful category. At the top of the contemporary art list was the work ‘Two Inquisitors II’ by Czech artist Mikuláš Medek, which fetched an outstanding €812,500. In the Old Masters section, a portrait by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya achieved a sensational result of €520,000. In the 19th-century paintings section, the painting ‘Hansl's First Outing’ by Austrian painter Georg Ferdinand Waldmüller attracted attention with a top price of €520,000.

The atmosphere in the auction room was electric: The centerpiece of Dorotheum's Modern Art Auction on 18 November 2025, was Egon Schiele’s “Crouching Nude, Back View” from 1917, created in his penultimate year. Following a thrilling bidding battle, a telephone bidder triumphed, securing the masterpiece for 3.23 million euros.

This 1917 drawing by Egon Schiele, a leading figure of the Wiener Moderne, is one of the highlights of Dorotheum’s Modern Art auction. With precise yet fluid lines, Schiele captures the tension between structure and fragility. Once owned by Serena Lederer, close friend of Gustav Klimt and key patron of Vienna Modernism, the work epitomizes Schiele’s fine balance between physicality and otherworldliness.

Discover important works by Austrian and international stars of Contemporary Art in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Part I and II auctions at Dorotheum on 19 and 20 November 2025. One of the top lots is the work Linie č. 109 (Lines No 109) by Czech artist Zdeněk Sýkora – pioneer of algorithmically generated art (estimate € 200,000 – 300,000). The auctions also offer top works by Andy Warhol, Enrico Castellani, Martha Jungwirth, Carla Accardi, Herbert Brandl, Antony Gormley and Josef Albers. Contemporary Week will conclude on 3 December 2025 with the Editions Auction, featuring works by Andy Warhol, Gert and Uwe Tobias, Gerhard Richter, and William Kentridge.

Contemporary Week at Dorotheum is starting with the Modern Art auction on 18 November 2025. Among the highlights of this auction is a 1917 drawing by Egon Schiele: Kauernder Rückenakt (Crouching Nude, Back View) from the collection of August and Serena Lederer (estimate € 1,800,000 – 2,500,000). Other highlights of the auction include important works by icons of art history such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Giorgio de Chirico, Carl Moll, Alfons Walde, Marino Marini and Francis Picabia.