Phillips to Auction John. L. Loeb Jr.’s Collection of Danish Art

Phillips will auction approximately 150 pieces of Danish art from John’s collection of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. L. Loeb Jr. served as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark from 1981 to 1983.

The works will be sold at multiple auctions, including in London in March and New York in May. The auction house expects the cumulative sales price of this collection to exceed US$12 million. Some of the works to be auctioned will first be on display at the Eriksson Tower in Copenhagen before traveling to salerooms in Gstaad, St. Moritz, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Los Angeles; full pre-sale presentations of the works will be held in London and New York.

According to a press release, Loeb’s collection of Danish art “is currently considered the largest in the world outside of Danish museums,” and is particularly known for its in-depth knowledge of the work of Vilhelm Hammershøi, known for his enigmatic interiors, which will be represented in the auction by 10 works. Other artists include Bertha Wegmann, PS Krøyer, Anna Anche, J. Th. Lundbye, Karl Holso, Christian Mourier-Petersen, LA Ring and Michael Anche.

“Ambassador Loeb’s keen eye and deep appreciation for Danish culture have resulted in a collection of extraordinary depth and sensitivity,” House Vice President for the Americas Jeremiah Evarts said in a statement. “His commitment to championing Danish art, particularly the quietly radical work of Vilhelm Hammershøi, has helped to bring renewed global attention to a genre of painting that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.”

The sale comes at a time when these artists are receiving wider international attention. “Northern Lights,” an exhibition themed on Scandinavian art at the AKG Museum of Art in Buffalo, New York, will close today. Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum will host a retrospective of Hammershui next month, and several exhibitions are planned in the United States in 2027. The Dulwich Gallery in London is also currently hosting an investigation into Ansh.

“Against this backdrop, the presence of the Loeb Collection on the market will provide a rare opportunity to acquire works by these masters of light,” Evarts added in the statement. “Phillips is honored to serve as steward of the collection and contribute to the evolving conversation around Danish art and its enduring relevance.”

At least three Hammershoi works will be auctioned –Courtyard interior of Strandgade 30 (c. 1905), Interior with windsor chair (1913), and Interior of woman placing branches in vase on table (1900) – presented as part of a solo exhibition by the Danish artist, opening in June 2024 at Hauser & Wirth’s Basel space. They have pre-sale estimates of $3 million to $5 million, $2.5 million to $3.5 million and £1.5 million to £2 million respectively. courtyard indoor and Interior with windsor chair Both will be sold at the May evening auction in New York.

Courtyard interior of Strandgade 30 Also featured in Phillips’ May 2024 exhibition titled Still: Hammershoy and American Minimalism, most of the works are not for sale.

“When I first arrived in Denmark, I spent quiet evenings walking through the halls of Rydhav, reflecting on the empty walls and thinking about the art I grew up with,” Loeb, a member of the Lehman and Loeb financial families, said in a statement. “While I initially planned to fill the space with American art, I was quickly drawn to the serenity and beauty of 19th-century Danish painting. It was art that I found comfort and comfort in.”

Enjoy selected works from the Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. Collection below.