kolkata sothebys will offer a painting by danish artist vilhelm hammershoi that is rare if not unique in the artists oeuvre in the companys sale of 19th century european paintings on 22 may 2014 sun over the sea estimated at 100000150000 is one of the only known marines by the artist and in which he paints directly into the sun the auction will feature a second painting by hammershoi with a maritime subject the old warehouse in christianshavn estimate 80000120000 both pictures from danish private collections come to the auction market for the first time claude piening senior director sothebys 19th century european paintings department said in an email statement hammershois timeless and quietly understated images continue to cast their spell on todays collectors for our upcoming sale in may we are fortunate to be offering two exterior views painted in copenhagen sun over the sea is an especially exciting rediscovery arguably the only painting by hammershoi to depict not only the open ocean but the glowing orb of the sun the source of light in so many of his more familiar interior scenes nina wedellwedellsborg head of sothebys denmark continued in the same statement sun over the sea and the old warehouse belong to the significant body of outdoor views by hammershoi which have been generating strong interest in our sales over recent years both are exciting discoveries the former is unique in the artists oeuvre the latter formerly in the collection of hammershois patron alfred bramsen a smaller version of the iconic painting in the hamburger kunsthalle