The auctions of modern and contemporary art by Phillips in London open the March calendar, intertwining historical masters, American minimalism, and exceptional European collections.
How do the Phillips auctions in March open in London?
On March 5 and 7, 2026, the new auctions of modern and contemporary art by Phillips will be held at the Berkeley Square location in London. The sessions strategically coincide with the competing sales of Sotheby’s and Christie’s, confirming the auction house’s intention to position itself at the center of the London week.
The selection for London ranges from leading figures of Scandinavian modernism to icons of the late 20th century. Additionally, the catalog includes two thematic sections dedicated to American minimalism and a significant private European collection, with a balanced mix of historical and contemporary works.
That said, the general approach favors the quality and provenance of the lots over mere quantity. The focus on structured collections and museum names aims to attract both established collectors and new international buyers.
Why does Hammershøi lead the rediscovery of Scandinavian modernism?
Leading the Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale on March 5 is Vilhelm Hammershøi with Interior of Woman Placing Branches in Vase on Table (1900). The work, estimated at 1.5–2 million pounds, comes from the prestigious collection of ambassador John L. Loeb, considered among the most important private collections of Danish art.
The Loeb collection, built over decades, is particularly tied to the visual culture of Denmark. Loeb was the U.S. ambassador to Denmark between 1981 and 1983, a period that further solidified his interest in Nordic modernism. Phillips will present a total of 150 works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries from this core.
These works will be distributed over multiple auctions, from the London sessions in March to the May sales in New York, with an expected total value of around 12 million dollars. In this way, the auction house dilutes the market offering, preserving the rarity and demand for individual artists.
Alongside Hammershøi, the catalog features Autumn at Leangbukten, Oslofjord (1926) by Harald Sohlberg, with an estimate of 850,000–1.3 million pounds. Additionally, works by Anna Ancher and Bertha Wegmann highlight a broader renewed international interest in Scandinavian modernism, already evidenced by recent museum exhibitions in Europe and the United States.
Overall, this Nordic focus fits into a trend of historical reevaluation that, compared to already established segments like French impressionism, still offers growth potential for collectors. Insights into Scandinavian modernism are available, for example, on the website of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
What is the role of American minimalism in the Phillips auctions?
Among the sections of the Evening Sale stands out Minimalist Masterworks: Property of a Distinguished European Collector, dedicated to two protagonists of American minimalism. The first is Donald Judd with Untitled (1987), a work estimated at 380,000–500,000 pounds, which best represents his exploration of module and seriality.
Alongside Judd is a series of three works by Brice Marden – Nevisian Story 17/Garden 1, Nevisian Story 18/Garden 2, and Nevisian Story 19/Garden 3 (2004–2007) – offered as a single lot. The total estimate is 300,000–500,000 pounds. The joint presence of these artists confirms the strength of the minimalist segment in the international market.
Compared to other post-war languages, minimalism indeed maintains a strong appeal among institutions and major collectors, thanks to its conceptual clarity and formal coherence. For a historical overview, one can consult the dedicated page on the movement on the website of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
How is the presence of female artists valued?
A different curatorial approach emerges in the section A Life of Collecting: Works From An Important Belgian Collector Couple, which features works by two artists focused on the female figure. The core comes from the collection of a Belgian collector couple, built with particular attention to the female voices of the contemporary scene.
The main protagonist is Tracey Emin, currently at the center of a major retrospective at the Tate Modern in London, with the work An Insane Desire For You (2019). The estimate is 600,000–800,000 pounds, in line with the growing demand for her recent production, often marked by a strong autobiographical and emotional charge.
In dialogue with Emin is presented the sculpture Fascia V (2012) by Rebecca Warren, with a pre-auction valuation of 250,000–350,000 pounds. This pairing highlights two different approaches to the representation of the female body and desire, reaffirming the market’s attention to female artists, still underrepresented compared to their male counterparts in major historical collections.
What are the other top lots, from Warhol to El Anatsui?
The Evening Sale also includes a selection of leading names in late 20th-century art. Andy Warhol is present with Mao, an example from a series of only 10 works created in 1973, with dimensions of 61.3 × 50.8 cm. The work, making its auction debut, is estimated at 1.4–1.8 million pounds.
The catalog then features Happy Choppers by Banksy, from the personal collection of Robin Williams. The estimate, between 1–1.5 million pounds, reflects the combination of the street artist’s notoriety and the provenance linked to the Hollywood star.
Another notable lot is Zebra Square (2007) by El Anatsui, with an estimate of 750,000–1 million pounds. The Ghanaian-Nigerian artist has become, in recent years, a central figure in global narratives of contemporary art, thanks to his monumental textile works made from recycled materials, often exhibited in institutions like the Tate and the Metropolitan Museum.
What does the Day Sale on March 7 offer?
The Modern & Contemporary Art Day Sale on March 7 completes the offering with a catalog of 141 lots. The day is designed to capture a broader range of buyers, with generally lower estimates compared to the Evening Sale but still a significant presence of established names.
Among the included artists are Albert Oehlen and Gerhard Richter, ensuring the session’s strong appeal for post-war and contemporary European collectors. Additionally, the variety of lots allows for exploration of different trends, from experimental pictorial languages to more conceptual research.
Overall, the early March auctions in London confirm Phillips’ strategy of combining historical masters, minimalism, female voices, and international top lots. The focus on provenance, structured collections, and the construction of thematic sections strengthens the auction house’s positioning in a competitive context dominated by the main players in the global market.
Image: Vilhelm Hammershøi, Interior of Woman Placing Branches in Vase on Table, 1900. Courtesy Phillips
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
