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🇩🇰 Denmark /Culture & Society

Hans Scherfig Painting Exceeds Expectations, Selling for Five Times Estimate at Auction

From DR Nyheder · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • A painting by Danish artist Hans Scherfig, "Badende Piger" (Bathing Girls) from 1936, sold for 260,000 kroner, five times its estimated value.
  • The artwork was among 14 pieces by Scherfig, owned by his descendants, that collectively sold for 920,000 kroner at auction.
  • Experts attribute the strong interest in Scherfig's art to a universal longing for an innocent and unspoiled world.

A surprising surge in demand for the works of Danish artist and author Hans Scherfig saw one of his paintings fetch a price five times its valuation at a recent auction. The artwork, titled "Badende Piger" (Bathing Girls) and created in 1936, sold for 260,000 kroner.

This particular piece was part of a collection of 14 works by Scherfig, previously owned by his descendants, which collectively garnered 920,000 kroner. Scherfig, known for his beloved depictions of exotic jungle animals, attracted significant attention from auction buyers.

Niels Boe-Hauggaard, head of modern art at Bruun Rasmussen auction house, attributed the strong interest in Scherfig's art to a "universal longing for an innocent and unspoiled world." The artist's distinctive style and nostalgic themes continue to resonate with collectors, as evidenced by the remarkable sale of "Badende Piger."

a universal longing for an innocent and unspoiled world

— Niels Boe-HauggaardBoe-Hauggaard, head of modern art at Bruun Rasmussen, explained the appeal of Scherfig's art to auction customers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by DR Nyheder in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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