Provenance: Letters and works given directly from William Heinesen to Grethe Heltberg thence by decent in the family.

This week, we are offering a small collection of papercuts by the Faroese artist William Heinesen, whose oeuvre spans widely from literature to music, and the visual arts. All of the works originate from a correspondence between William Heinesen and the Danish author Grethe Heltberg. While the collection primarily consists of papercuts, several pieces also feature poetic verses and personal letters exchanged between the two. The collection has been passed down through the family of Grethe Heltberg, who shared a close personal relationship with Heinesen. It is therefore a rare to present such a remarkable selection at auction. Heinesen began working with papercuts in the 1970s and spent many years refining and developing this medium. His artistic universe playfully explores the realms of fairy tales, sagas, and mythology, as well as the dramatic landscapes of the Faroe Islands. The quality of Heinesen’s visual art is unmistakable. Despite this, he modestly considered his artwork as a beloved hobby and regarded himself as an amateur, reflecting a unique sense of artistic humility. Today, however, he is recognized as one of the most significant Faroese artists of his time—and his visual art is in high demand.