Over four days, Bruun Rasmussen will host exceptional auctions featuring some of history’s most prominent artists and designers. From 2 to 5 December, visitors to Nørgaardsvej 3 in Lyngby, just outside Copenhagen, can enjoy everything from classical art and modern design to exclusive jewellery and watches. Seven auctions with almost a thousand items are waiting to find new owners.
The week of auctions begins on Monday, 2 December, with the catalogue The Danish Golden Age + Fine Art. Taking centre stage is P.S. Krøyer’s masterpiece Fru Marie Krøyer i Haven paa Skagen from 1892, valued at 4–6 million Danish kroner (approximately £450,000–£670,000). This painting exemplifies Krøyer's remarkable ability to capture the delicate interplay of light and atmosphere, cementing his reputation as a leading figure among the Skagen painters.
Krøyer was a pivotal figure in late 19th-century Scandinavian art. He trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and later honed his skills in Paris under the tutelage of Léon Bonnat, a prominent artist of the time. Strongly influenced by Impressionism during his studies in Paris, Krøyer combined these techniques with his innate sensitivity to Nordic light and nature, creating a style that was both innovative and timeless.
The featured painting is part of a series created during the summers Krøyer and his wife, Marie, spent in Skagen in the 1890s. Marie, both his muse and frequent model, was an accomplished artist in her own right. Their stays at Madame Bendsen’s house, whose lush garden often appeared in Krøyer’s works, were filled with creativity and joy, sentiments beautifully captured in this masterpiece.
Among the international highlights is a painting by Fernando Amorsolo, one of the Philippines’ most renowned artists. His work A Young Girl Sitting by a River Bank (1935) depicts a young woman by the water, rendered with Amorsolo’s signature mastery of light and shadow. Known for celebrating Filipino landscapes and rural life with idyllic warmth, Amorsolo was the first recipient of the prestigious Order of National Artists of the Philippines.
On Tuesday, 3 December, the spotlight shifts to Asian Art, Antique Decorative Art, Furniture, Carpets, and Weapons, followed by CoBrA + Modern Art. Notable among these is a collection of works by Asger Jorn, a founding member of the CoBrA movement. Jorn’s bold, dynamic paintings, often inspired by primitive art, hold a significant place in modern art history.
Wednesday, 4 December, features Jewellery and Bags. A standout piece is The Dream, a one-of-a-kind necklace by Arje Griegst, combining Baroque and Oriental influences. The design includes an opal shaped like a face, encircled by brilliant-cut diamonds, lapis lazuli, and an Oriental pearl. That evening, an auction of exclusive watches will present sought-after timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Panerai, and Patek Philippe.
The auction series concludes on Thursday, 5 December, with Modern Decorative Art and Design. Featured items include creations by Georg Jensen, Axel Salto, Alvar Aalto, Poul Henningsen, Finn Juhl, and Märta Måås-Fjetterström. A highlight is Vilhelm Lauritzen’s trio of armchairs in Cuban mahogany with brass fittings and wool upholstery, designed around 1940. Lauritzen, a pioneer of functionalism, infused his furniture with the era’s clean lines and focus on sustainable materials.
For wine connoisseurs, the same evening includes an online auction of Bordeaux wines, featuring rare bottles such as the legendary 1947 vintage of Château Cheval Blanc. These bottles, stored in a natural Scandinavian cellar, offer decades of history and refinement.
From 28 November to 1 December, visitors are invited to view the auction items in person at Bruun Rasmussen’s premises, offering a chance to admire these unique pieces and engage with their stories. Don’t miss the opportunity to take home a piece of art or design history!
