Lady with a Fan

a sale room psychodrama

Gustav Klimt: Lady with a Fan (Dame mit Fächer) 1918, as seen on the last viewing day at Sotheby’s, New Bond Street. Photo © the author.

Two hooks on an expanse of purple plush.

I kept glancing at them as I circled the room— are we too late, has she been withdrawn? The grey captions stencilled either side recording her history seemed like an epitaph.

So I enquired.

“Don’t worry, she’ll be back in a few minutes,” said the chirpy girl in sensible trousers covered by a…