There are two portraits by Gustav Klimt---the most famous Vienna Secessionist, and the subject of a good film starring John Malkovich---on display at the Met Museum, in Gallery 829: Serena Pulitzer Lederer (1867–1943) and Mäda Primavesi (1903–2000).
But another, more famous, hangs in the Neue Galerie alone on permanent display, Adele Bauer Bloch I, the 'woman in gold'. (The Neue is a showcase of Vienna Secessionists, especially Egon Schiele and drawings by him are regularly shown). The Neue has a good collection of erotic drawings by Klimt, Schiele, Kokoshka and others.
You can get quite close to her. She is smaller than I expected and at first I was disappointed that her gold did not glitter, but in time I saw through my disappointment (as one must) to see the influential woman who so mesmerized Klimt, and who himself so mesmerized the rest of Vienna. In fact, if you feel the need for some Klimt ‘mojo’, you can buy a beautiful replica robe just like the one he wore to work, in the tchotchke filled gift shop. It’s not cheap, but it is cool.
Mrs Altmann, Klimt’s niece, lived in Los Angeles when she won the right to sue the Austrian government in the USA for the Klimt pieces that had been stolen from her family by Nazis during WW2. She won. Through her friendship with Lauder, founder of the Neue Galerie, the portrait now hangs there on permanent exhibition. He paid $135 million dollars so that you can now go see her.
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Queens Bakehouse" in NYC was an instant hit with me. Their inventive twists on classics are what really stole my heart - the croissant loaf, for example.
by
When you step into "Rainey Park" in New York City, it feels like you have been welcomed into the shared backyard of Astoria residents. Compact & sunny!
by
"Malachy's Donegal Inn" is an Irish bar in New York city that's a survivor. There's an ingrained (or ingrown) sense of comfort, 'cares abandoned'...
by
"Utopia" is my neighborhood go-to breakfast joint. It's a real old-school kind of place; I go with my newspaper and am always served well and fast.
by
"Central Park Benches" in NYC (apart from their comfort) are known for their commemorative plaques. One of them is dedicated by the citizens of Liverpool...
by
You can find "BANKSY in New York" in the Upper West Side. 'Boy With a Hammer' is the only one of his pieces that hasn't been 'repurposed'...
by
"Silvana" is a large cafe, boutique, shawarma and falafel bar in NYC that also offers live music performances on their downstairs stage. Great acts!
by
The menu is simple: hamburgers, French fries & toppings. No over-the-top ingredients, no superfluous adjectives, and high-value food at rock-bottom prices.
by
"Elizabeth Street Garden" New York: formerly the site of a large, important school house, it was reclaimed in the '90s and turned into a sculpture garden.
by
One block away from a 21st century LinkNYC WiFi tower on Broadway sits one of three West End Avenue working telephone 'booths', the last in NYC...
by
After, "Anthony & Son" Panini Shoppe's Italian-style super-sandwiches, no regular New York sandwich will ever taste as good again...
by
"Dutch Kills" in New York isn't hiding it's one of the best bars in the city, but it isn't publicizing the fact, either. No password to enter, however!
by
304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 304 Insider Tips