AP – An abstract painting by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, who surprised her country by abdicating earlier this year, has been sold at a Copenhagen auction at DKK160,000 (USD23,300) – exceeding the estimated price of DKK75,000-DKK100,000 (USD11,000-USD14,550).
The artistic works of the 83-year queen has long been publicly known, and several of her paintings have been exhibited at museums in Denmark and abroad.
The unnamed 1998 acrylic painting, whose starting price was DKK45,000 (USD6,550), was sold late on Tuesday at Denmark’s main auction house to an unidentified buyer. The painting was originally a gift to a former aide who died in 1989, and was in the family’s possession.
The works by Margrethe who also has designed ballet costumes and sets, church vestments and dinnerware, and made book illustrations, are rarely put up for sale, said Niels Boe-Hauggaard of the Bruun Rasmussen Auction House.
“The queen’s recent abdication may also have given the painting an extra layer to its history,” he added in a statement.
On New Year’s Eve, Margrethe announced she would be stepping down, citing health issues. Her declaration stunned a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is the tradition in the Danish monarchy.
