According to the police, the shopkeeper said that the two men agreed that the customer would make sure that the work was assessed, after which they would share the sale price. At the same time, the customer bought another painting for a little over 1000 kroner.
Later, the work was sold by Hammershøi at Bruun Rasmussen Art Auctions for 130,000 kroner, but the shopkeeper, who is 77 years old, feels cheated because he has not seen some of the money.
However, the 63-year-old pleads not guilty to fraud.
Police became aware of the course when the 63-year-old reported that he had been exposed to threats on the life of the shopkeeper. Incidentally, this has been charged with threats.
During the investigation, officers have, among other things, received information from Bruun Rasmussen, just as witnesses from the street market have been questioned, police commissioner Peter Hvidberg informs.
Now the prosecution must assess whether one or both men should be brought to justice.
Vilhelm Hammershøi’s refined works are known and appreciated not only in Denmark.
The paintings are sold for large sums. According to the Statens Museum for Kunst, Hammershøi’s fame has reached beyond the country’s borders than any other Danish painter.
Source: The Nordic Page