Like the first painting, Water Serpents II deals with the sensuality of women's bodies and same-sex relationships.

During World War II, it was stolen by the Nazis, and more recently, it has been the center of a controversy surrounding its record 2013 sale.

Two are seen in the foreground in full nudity; the other two can be found in the top right corner of the piece, and only their heads are visible.

[citation needed] According to this interpretation, since same-sex relationships were not acceptable at the time, Klimt disguised the women as mythical figures.

This is supported by the fact that the main character's pubic hair is showing, and she is glaring sensually at the viewer.

[citation needed] The painting's owner, Jenny Steiner, was Jewish, and she was forced to flee Vienna to Portugal in 1938 under threat from the Nazis.

The agreement, which was mediated by the Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien, or Vienesse Jewish Community, stipulated that the proceeds would be split 50/50 between Ursula and the heirs.

In 2013 Yves Bouvier sold the painting for $183.3 million to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, one of the largest private art collectors in the world.