LONDON.- Christie's will present The Collection of Ole Faarup, which will be a key highlight of the 20th/21st Century Art Marquee Week in October 2025. This outstanding collection, assembled over fifty years, is a striking testament to Ole Faarup's passion for contemporary art and emerging artists, which made him one of the most respected art collectors of his generation. Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Ole Faarup Art Foundation*.
The Collection, comprising in the region of 140 lots and with an overall estimate of around £16,000,000–22,000,000, will be offered in a series of sales, starting with the 20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale on 15 October and the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on 16 October 2025, alongside a dedicated online auction (8–21 October 2025).
The Ole Faarup Art Foundation carries forward Ole Faarup's unique vision to nurture and support future generations of artists. Inspired by five decades of passionate and thoughtful collecting, the Foundation is dedicated to helping younger artists by placing their work in museums and public collections in Denmark and around the world. A special focus for the Foundation is to support Danish artists up to the age of 50, including those from the Faroe Islands and Greenland – one of its key objectives will be facilitating their first museum or kunsthalle exhibition abroad. At the same time, it fosters cultural exchange by acquiring works from both young and established Danish artists for donation to recognised institutions outside of Denmark. With this purpose, the Foundation marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Ole Faarup's remarkable collecting journey - one that's not just about the art he loved, but about creating new opportunities for raising younger artists' profiles globally.
Among the collection's many highlights are two exceptional works by Peter Doig, reflecting Ole Faarup's instinctive and personal approach to collecting. Leading the group is Country Rock (1998–99, estimate: £7,000,000-10,000,000), a monumental painting featured on the catalogue cover of Doig's 2008 Tate retrospective. Depicting Toronto's iconic rainbow tunnel - originally painted in 1972 as a tribute by a grieving teenager - it exemplifies Doig's fascination with place, memory, and myth.
Also offered for the first time at auction is Ski Jacket (1994, estimate: £6,000,000-8,000,000), a rare large-scale canvas from the year of Doig's Turner Prize nomination. Based on a newspaper photo of a Japanese ski resort, it transforms a mountainside of skiers into a dreamlike, prismatic scene, echoing Doig's early interest in memory and atmosphere. Together, these works offer a focused insight into the themes that define Doig's celebrated practice, and into the emotional depth that shaped Faarup's vision as a collector.
Another highlight in the collection is Chris Ofili's sublime masterpiece Blossom (1997) (estimate: £1,000,000-1,500,000), created just a year before he became the first black artist to win the Turner Prize. Widely regarded as one of his most important works, Blossom was prominently exhibited under Ole Faarup's stewardship, also featuring on the cover of the Tate Britain catalogue for Ofili's 2010 retrospective and in Chris Ofili: Night and Day at the New Museum, New York (2014–15). Blossom was created between two landmark works in Ofili's practice: the now-infamous The Holy Virgin Mary (1996, Museum of Modern Art, New York) and the poignant No Woman, No Cry (1998, on view at Tate Britain as part of its Modern and Contemporary British Art collection). Fusing sacred iconography, African symbolism, pop culture, glitter, and elephant dung, the painting exemplifies Ofili's layered visual language and reflects Faarup's eye for groundbreaking art.
Also featured is Untitled by Jean-Michel Basquiat (estimate: £300,000-500,000), realised in 1982, the year of Basquiat's breakout debut at the Annina Nosei Gallery and his inclusion in documenta VII. It depicts two totemic figures in vivid primary colours, rendered in oilstick and signed in his iconic style. The work captures a pivotal moment in the artist's meteoric early career.
Renowned Scandinavian and Danish artists are also included in the collection, such as Karin Mamma Andersson, Asger Jorn, Per Kirkeby and Sonja Ferlov Mancoba. Other notable Danish names include John Kørner, Jeppe Hein and Tal R.
The auctions will also feature prominent artists from the Neue Leipziger Schule, including Neo Rauch, Matthias Weischer and Daniel Richter, as well as works by leading figures from the YBAs, such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, and Gary Hume.
Ole Faarup was one of Denmark's most visionary art collectors, renowned across Europe for his discerning eye and commitment to contemporary art. His passion began in the 1960s while working for Georg Jensen in New York City, where lunchtime visits to MoMA sparked a fascination with emerging artists and led to formative encounters with figures like Andy Warhol. Back in Denmark in the 1970s, Faarup built a successful furniture and design business, 3Falke, while also nurturing his passion for collecting. He initially focused on Danish artists such as Per Kirkeby, Ejler Bille, Sonja Ferlov Mancoba, and Asger Jorn, later expanding to an international roster of young talent. His home became a modern Kunstkammer, a living space where art and life coexisted. Faarup collected with intuition and curiosity, acquiring works early in artists' careers and constantly evolving his collection to reflect the present moment and embrace bold new voices.
Katharine Arnold, Vice-Chairman 20/21, and Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Europe at Christie's: “We are truly honoured to have been entrusted with the sale of this extraordinary collection, shaped by the visionary eye and philanthropic spirit of Ole Faarup. His generosity ensures that his passion for art will not only be remembered, but will continue to inspire and support generations of artists to come. This sale brings his vision to life, offering the world a glimpse into a collection defined by curiosity, care, and an unshakeable belief in the power of creativity. From Peter Doig's iconic dreamlike visions – in which the dynamics of memory, movement, and mediation unfold in layered, atmospheric scenes - to Chris Ofili's richly textured surfaces, fusing mastery of painting with explorations of the beautiful, sacred, and profane, every artwork in the sale reflects Ole Faarup's forward-thinking approach to collecting. Notably, Doig's Country Rock and Ofili's Blossom each became emblematic of their mid-career retrospectives at Tate, gracing both the exhibition posters and catalogue covers, and underscoring the lasting impact and relevance of these iconic works.”
Peter van der Graaf, International Specialist, and Rikke Juel Brandt, Representative Consultant Denmark, at Christie's: " It was a privilege to have known Ole Faarup. The mutual trust we developed over time fostered a truly meaningful and rewarding professional relationship. We deeply valued his insights and stories about his approach to collecting and navigating the art world. His collection stands out not only for its internationally significant works, but also for the rare and sincere passion it reflects for discovering and championing emerging talent. Through The Ole Faarup Art Foundation, established in line with his enduring love of contemporary art and support for artistic talent, his legacy will live on in museums and public collections across the world. ”
Morten Kroon, Chairman of The Ole Faarup Art Foundation: “In keeping with his deep passion for contemporary art and unwavering support for emerging artists, Ole Faarup made the generous decision to leave his estate to the newly established Ole Faarup Art Foundation. The Foundation's purpose is to acquire and donate works to public museums and collections, ensuring broad access to contemporary art. We are proud to partner with Christie's on this important sale, which will help carry forward Ole's legacy of championing young talent and enriching museum collections both in Denmark and internationally”.
An exhibition of highlights from The Collection of Ole Faarup will be on view from 16 -19 August at Kunsthal n in Copenhagen. Highlights from the Collection will subsequently be on view at Christie's Hong Kong and New York in September, and at King Street in London during the 20/21 Marquee Week, opening on 8 October 2025.
* 100% of the hammer price for these lots will benefit The Ole Faarup Art Foundation
