Purchase of the Month

In early June, two photographs by the internationally renowned photographer Keld Helmer-Petersen went under the hammer at the first photography auction here at Bruun Rasmussen in over a decade. The two works, which were each estimated at DKK 10-12,000, went for just under the estimated price, fetching DKK 8,000 and DKK 7,000 respectively. 

The pioneer of art photography

The buyers of the two Helmer-Petersen photographs have picked up a couple of real bargains, as Helmer-Petersen’s photographic works are rare guests at auction, and there is no price history as such on his original photographs – despite the fact that Keld Helmer-Petersen is not just any old photographer.

Keld Helmer-Petersen was one of the pioneering greats of Danish photography. He was one of the first in the world to explore the artistic possibilities of colour photography in the 1940s. His book “122 Colour Photographs” from 1948 made him an international name, and no fewer than seven pages were dedicated to the book and Helmer-Petersen’s photographs in “Life Magazine” in 1949. It was two of the famous photographs from this book, signed by the artist himself, which went under the hammer at the photography auction in June.

Large international market for photographic art

“International interest in art photography is massive. Good photographs by the great photographers sell for impressive amounts at auction and in galleries. There is more to photography than a good motif alone – the artistic quality and rarity also play a major role. Details such as how many prints have been made, or whether or not the work is signed, are crucial to collectors. And that’s how it has to be when you’re dealing with an easily reproducible medium such as photography,” says Christine Almlund, who is responsible for the photography auctions at Bruun Rasmussen.

Danish initiative

However, photography has only in recent years become a highly prized art form on the Danish art scene. The four-year-old Copenhagen Photo Festival, which today is the largest photo festival in northern Europe, is just one indicator that photography is on the up and up. And several well-attended exhibitions at museums and galleries around and about in Denmark as well as the major interest shown in the often award-winning work of Danish press photographers at the annual exhibition of World Press Photos also testify to the increased popularity.

Buy photographic art now!

The trend is also evident on the auction circuit. “Looking back at the recent auction, it was clear to see that the interest in photography in a commercial way is there,” explains Almlundand continues, “There are many interesting works out there. However, the prices are still reasonable from a buyer’s point of view – so new collectors can easily get a foot on the ladder, because it is precisely within this category that works of art by hugely talented photographers can be purchased at very reasonable prices.”

At the end of July, we’ll be following up with a new article about an item worthy of the title “Purchase of the Month”.