Gustav Klimt’s Lady with a Fan sells for £85.3m, breaking European record

The auction in London for the Austrian artist's final painting achieved the highest price ever in Europe for a work of art

Gustav Klimt's painting Dame mit Facher (Lady with a Fan) has sold for 85.3m at Sotheby's, becoming the most valuable work of art ever sold at auction in Europe.

In its first market appearance in 29 years, the late Austrian painter's final masterpiece exceeded pre-sale expectations of 65m when it went under the hammer in London on Tuesday, and also set a new record for the artist.