Serena Pulitzer Lederer (1867 – 1943) by Gustav Klimt

Serena Lederer, born Pulitzer (May 20, 1867 in Budapest;-March 27,1943 ) was the spouse of the Industry Magnate August Lederer, close friend of Gustav Klimt and instrumental in the constitution of the collection of Klimt’s art pieces. Serena was born into a wealthy Jewish family, and a relative of the U.S. journalist Joseph Pulitzer. In her youth Serena was known for being a beauty. She married on 5 June 1892 at the Rabbinat of Pest, August Lederer. The family was resident of Raab, in Vienna and at the castle Ledererschlassel in Weidlingau. In their Vienna flat, one room of was dedicated to Klimt works. The painting of Serena Lederer done in 1899 was the origin of a close friendship. On Klimt’s recommendation, in 1912, Egon Schiele was introduced to the Lederer family and became friends with Erich Lederer, the youngest son. Serenana Lederer was instrumental in the collection of Klimt’s work. There are portraits of her mother, her daughter Elisabeth and herself by the artist. It has been suggested Elisabeth was the biological daughter of Lederer and Klimt. The Lederer collection was confiscated from Serena in 1940 and she fled to Budapest, where she died three years later. The Gestapo transferred the collection to Immendorf Castle, but the castle was set on fire in May, 1945 so that it would not fall into the hands of the Allies and the collection was destroyed.