Venduehuis Den Haag achieved remarkable success with the auction of The Netherlands Unilever Art Collection. All 303 works were sold during this white glove auction. With accessible starting prices and broad interest, the sale delivered not only strong financial results but also social impact: Unilever is donating the proceeds to three Rotterdam-based charities – Stichting Niet Graag een Lege Maag, Stichting Campus Nederland, and Stichting Lekker Geven founded by street doctor Michelle van Tongerloo.
The preview days attracted more than 2,000 visitors to the museum-style displays at Nobelstraat in The Hague, while the online catalogue generated significant international attention. Auction records were set for no fewer than 63 artists, including €6,500 for a work by Joke Frima, €7,000 for Frida Holleman, €10,000 for Volkert Olij, and €9,500 for a print by Dick Bruna – an absolute record for works by the famous ‘father’ of Miffy.
Museums also enriched their collections through this sale: the key work Station Beurs te Rotterdam by Adriaan van der Plas was acquired for the Chabot Museum, while the Kunstvrienden of the Westlands Museum purchased Loosduinen by Kees Andrea.
“It was an unprecedented success that exceeded our highest expectations,” said Dolf Heyselbergs, paintings expert at Venduehuis Den Haag. “This auction brought together art, history and emotion, offering collectors a unique opportunity to become part of the story.”