Auction of Scandinavian art

In London on 11 June 2012, Sotheby's will hold its Scandinavian Sale of art. A number of landscapes by Norwegian artists and five paintings by Vilhelm Hammershøi will head the auction. The group of artwork will represent the skill and imagery of nineteenth century Scandinavian artists. Four of the paintings by Hammershøi depict his home in Strandgade 30 in Copenhagen which formed the backdrop of many of his greatest works. A few works by Frits Thaulow, the brother-in-law of Paul gauging and close friend of Claude Moet will be available for sale as well. One of the pieces titled ‘A Chateau In Normandy' is estimated at a value of 60,000-80,000 pounds. Produced in January 1895, the heavy snow around the Normandy area gave the artist the opportunity to produce this piece. He was influenced by French Impressionists and then Post Impressionists but clearly from a Nordic point of view.

Johan Christian Dahl's ‘A Landscape in Evening Light' produced in 1853 beautifully depicts a glowing sunset over the river Elbe. Take note of the two figures with their backs turned to the viewer, silhouetted against the mountain. They clearly show the influence of Dahl's close friendship with Casper David Friedrich. Friedrich used this device quite often in his works.

Vilhelm Hammershøi's ‘Ida Reading a Letter' heads his section of artwork in the auction and is estimated at 500,000 – 700,000 pounds. It was created in 1899 and was one of the first to be painted at his address of Strandgade 30, an address which would become highly influential in his works. The sparsely decorated rooms, bare wooden floorboards, wall mouldings and other aspects of the house would become a central motif for his works while he lived there with his wife. Other chief works of his to be auction include ‘Ida Standing at a Desk', ‘Ida in an Interior' and ‘Interior with two candles'.

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