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.”
GLOBAL DEMAND AND INSTITUTIONAL ACQUISITIONS Across the auctions, global institutional interest was evident, with registered bidders hailing from 30 countries and with five Danish museums acquiring six works across the London auctions. Two works by Vilhelm Hammershøi in the New York Evening Sale — Courtyard Interior at Strandgade 30 and Study of standing woman, seen from behind — were also acquired by renowned global institutions. The 16 total public acquisitions by museums include: ORDRUPGAARD Acquired Interior with a Bunch of Wildflowers, Tyrol by Bertha Wegmann STATENS MUSEUM FOR KUNST Acquired Study drawing after plaster cast of ancient Greek Aphrodite, torso from c. 500 B.C. by Vilhelm Hammershøi THE DAVID COLLECTION Acquired Seated Chinese Man in Mandarin Dress by Jens Juel RANDERS KUNSTMUSEUM Acquired Johanne Wilde at Her Loom by L. A. Ring RIBE KUNSTMUSEUM Acquired The New Hat by Ludvig Find and Collecting Mussels at Low Tide at Le Portel, France, 1888 by Laurits Tuxen VESTSJÆLLANDS MUSEUM Acquired Ships in a Harbor at Kalundborg Fjord (Skibe i havn ved Kalundborg Fjord) by J. Th. Lundbye These placements from this Collection reflect Phillips’ trusted relationships with institutions worldwide, as well as the auction house’s role in stewarding works of cultural significance into major public collections. MARKET-LEADING RESULTS AND NEW AUCTION RECORDS New world records were achieved for artists that were central to the development of Danish painting at the turn of the century, including Harald Slott-Møller’s stunning Summer Day (Sommerdag), which sparked an unforgettable bidding war lasting more than six minutes in the May Morning Session of Modern & Contemporary Art. The stunning work ultimately sold for $1.3 million against an estimate of $30,000 to a bidder on the phone with Senior International Specialist Takako Nagasawa. A full list of records set for artists included in The Collection of Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. are as follows: P. S. Krøyer Self-Portrait, Sitting by His Easel at Skagen Beach (Selvportræt, siddende ved staffeliet på Skagens strand) 1902 Estimate: $300,000–500,000 SOLD FOR $1,290,000 | 
| | Harald Slott-Møller Summer Day (Sommerdag) 1888 Estimate: $30,000–50,000 SOLD FOR $1,290,000 | 
| | Edvard Eriksen The Little Mermaid (Den lille havfrue) circa 1910–1913 Estimate: $12,000–18,000 SOLD FOR $541,800 | 
| | Anna Ancher Young Girl Reading a Letter (Ung pige, der læser et brev) 1902 Estimate: £30,000–50,000 SOLD FOR £154,800 | 
| | Joel Ballin Study of a Model, Young Girl Undressing (Modelstudie, en ung pige klæder sig af), 1844 Estimate: £4,000–6,000 SOLD FOR £49,020 | 
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ABOUT PHILLIPS Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning. Visit phillips.com for further information. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
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