Provenance: When a work’s history becomes part of its value

Every lot at an auction carries a story, and sometimes it is precisely that story that makes the work priceless. At Bruun Rasmussen’s upcoming Live Auction of modern art and design on 19–20 November, provenance is not just a mark of quality—it is a narrative of time, relationships, and cultural heritage.

In the context of art and cultural history, provenance refers to the information that documents a work’s origin and ownership. Provenance can reveal where and when a work was created, who has owned and used it, and how it has been preserved over time. For collectors, museums, and researchers, provenance is not merely a matter of authenticity—it is a key to understanding a work’s life, and thereby its value.

A notable example in the upcoming auction is Vilhelm Lundstrøm’s monumental “Still Life” from 1937. The work was purchased directly from the artist by the architect couple Eva and Nils Koppel, who were key figures behind several prominent Danish buildings, including the Langelinie Pavilion, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the Panum Institute, the University of Copenhagen’s Amager campus (KUA), as well as renovations of, among others, the National Gallery of Denmark.

Lundstrøm’s works, particularly his modern, cubist-inspired still lifes and figure compositions, were groundbreaking in Danish art in the 1930s. The Koppels’ acquisition of such a work demonstrates their active interest in modern art and their engagement as culturally conscious collectors. At the same time, their choice reflects a clear connection between their architectural vision and their artistic taste. The painting has remained in the family’s ownership ever since and has never been offered for sale before.

Another highlight is Finn Juhl’s iconic “Chieftain Chair”, crafted in the 1950s by master cabinetmaker Niels Vodder. Chairs produced by Vodder are particularly sought after by collectors and at auctions, as both the design and craftsmanship are authentic, and the collaboration between Juhl and Vodder holds historical significance in Danish furniture design.

The chair also carries its own personal story: it was gifted by Finn Juhl and his first wife, Inge-Marie Skaarup, to her father on the occasion of a jubilee. Since then, it has passed through the family over generations—first via Juhl and Skaarup’s adoptive son Claus Juhl, and later to his daughter. The Chieftain Chair is not only a masterpiece of Danish furniture design; its continuous, close passage through the family also makes it a personal testament to Finn Juhl’s private life and relationships.

Together, the painting and the chair illustrate, beyond the spirit of the times and the development of art, how provenance transforms an object into a story of human connections. When a work is put up for auction at Bruun Rasmussen, its history comes along with it—and it is precisely in the meeting of work and story that its true value emerges.

The live auction at Bruun Rasmussen takes place on 19–20 November. All works can be viewed in Lyngby at Nørgaardsvej 3 from 13–18 November.