PRESS RELEASE
PHILLIPS’ SALES OF THE COLLECTION OF AMBASSADOR JOHN L. LOEB, JR. ACHIEVE $18 MILLION ACROSS
GLOBAL AUCTION SERIES
The Most Important Danish Art Collection in Private Hands Commands International Demand with 16 Works Being Acquired by Globally Renowned Institutions
Collection Achieves a White-Glove Result Across the New York Live Auctions, with New Artist Records Set Throughout the Spring for P. S. Krøyer, Anna Ancher, Harald Slott-Møller, Edvard Eriksen, and Joel Ballin
Vilhelm Hammershøi’s Courtyard Interior at Strandgade 30 selling at the May Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art in New York;
Jeremiah Evarts phone bidding with Principal Auctioneer Henry Highley
NEW YORK – 3 JUNE 2026 – Phillips is proud to announce that The Collection of Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. has surpassed its aggregate pre-sale estimate, achieving a grand total of $18 million across five auctions, which took place over the course of the spring season in New York and London. In all, 135 works were sold from the collection, beginning with an enthusiastic response in London, followed by a 100%-sold white-glove performance in New York, and concluding with an online sale that was 90% sold by lot. This led to an extraordinary overall sell-through rate of 90%, with 43% of works selling above the high estimate. At once scholarly and deeply personal, Ambassador Loeb’s collection has resonated across markets, reaffirming Phillips’ ability to strategically place rare, category-defining works with the world’s most discerning collectors and institutions.
Jeremiah Evarts, Deputy Chairman, Americas, Senior International Specialist, Modern & Contemporary Art, said, “It has been such a privilege to present the extraordinary Collection of Ambassador John L. Loeb Jr. to our community of collectors over the spring season, and serving as the auctioneer in our final live auction of the group was a wonderful full-circle moment. Ambassador Loeb’s collection is undisputedly the most important private collection of Danish art ever assembled, and the global participation we witnessed over the course of the spring season — with registrants from 30 countries and buyers from all corners of the globe — is a testament to its rightful significance within the art historical canon. With the conclusion of these sales, we are proud to announce that 16 works have found new homes in some of the world’s most renowned institutions.”
Kirsten MacDonald, Regional Director, Scandinavia, said, “This collection has given Danish art a remarkable moment to shine on the global stage. Presenting these artists alongside some of the most celebrated contemporary artists of our time has highlighted both the enduring relevance and international appeal of Danish art. I am deeply encouraged by the enthusiasm we saw from Danish institutions and private collectors. To see so many of these exceptional works returning to Denmark, where they can be enjoyed by the public, has exceeded all of my expectations.”
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