A remarkable collection of Scandinavian masterpieces, curated from the collection of former ambassador John L. Loeb, will be the highlight of Phillips' modern and contemporary art auctions in London this March. Loeb, who served as the US ambassador to Denmark during the early 1980s, has assembled a collection that reflects his profound appreciation for Danish culture.
The auctions are scheduled for March 5 and 7 at Phillips' headquarters on Berkeley Square, with the centerpiece being Vilhelm Hammershøi's Interior of Woman Placing Branches in Vase on Table (1900), which carries a high estimate of £2 million. This collection is regarded as one of the most significant private assemblages of Danish art in the United States and will be showcased across Phillips' London and New York sales this season. The March 5 evening auction will feature four works, followed by an additional 24 lots on March 7.
"Ambassador Loeb's discerning eye and deep appreciation for Danish culture have resulted in a collection of extraordinary depth and sensitivity," stated Jeremiah Evarts, Phillips' deputy chairman for the Americas. "His commitment to championing Danish art, particularly the quietly radical work of Hammershøi, has helped bring renewed global attention to a school of painting that continues to resonate with contemporary audiences."
This collection arrives at a time when there is a renewed institutional focus on Scandinavian modernism, with recent exhibitions at various prestigious venues including the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A major retrospective of Hammershøi's work has recently opened at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza and will continue to Kunsthaus Zürich.
Olivia Thornton, deputy chairwoman and head of modern and contemporary art at Phillips Europe, expressed excitement about the upcoming auctions: "We are proud to offer a sale that brings together celebrated 20th and 21st-century artists, showcasing the international significance of Scandinavian Modernism alongside minimalist works by Donald Judd and the innovative creations of El Anatsui."
In addition to the Scandinavian highlights, the evening sale will also feature significant postwar and contemporary works, including a rare example of Andy Warhol's Mao (1973), estimated at £1.8 million, and Banksy's Happy Choppers (2003), previously owned by actor Robin Williams.
El Anatsui's Zebra Square (2007), part of his renowned bottle-cap series, is also set to be auctioned with an estimate of £750,000 to £1 million. Furthermore, two curated private collections will be featured, including Donald Judd's Untitled (1987), estimated at £500,000, and works by Brice Marden from his "Nevisian Story" series.
Additionally, the auction will showcase Tracey Emin's An Insane Desire For You (2019), estimated at £600,000 to £800,000, coinciding with her major retrospective at Tate Modern. This work, along with Rebecca Warren's Fascia V (2012), will further highlight the diverse artistic expressions available during this exciting auction season.
