Since 1992, GWPA has been Norway’s leading niche auction house for Edvard Munch and older and modern Norwegian art. We offer high professional expertise, tailored marketing, and low costs for sellers.
As Norway’s only niche auction house specializing in Edvard Munch and older and modern art in higher price ranges, Grev Wedels Plass Auksjoner (GWPA) has combined art historical expertise with targeted marketing to achieve auction records and strong results. Our most prominent event is the Munch Auction – an annual special auction established in 2000, which attracts international collectors and institutions. Based at Bankplassen 1A in Oslo, we offer services in valuation, advisory, and sales – always with a focus on quality, personal service, and low seller costs.
Established for Art of Distinction
Grev Wedels Plass Auksjoner was founded in 1992 with the purpose of selling Norwegian art of high quality. Our first assignment was to auction the art collection from Oslobanken – a result of the banking crisis of the 1990s. This immediately gave us a foothold in the market.
From 1992 to 2023, we were located in the historic building Gamle Logen at Grev Wedels plass 2. Today, we have offices at Bankplassen 1A in Kvadraturen, a stone’s throw from both the National Museum and MUNCH.
The Munch Auction – Unique in Its Kind
In 2000, we established the annual Munch Auction – the only international special auction dedicated exclusively to Edvard Munch. The auction is held in December, as close to the artist’s birthday on December 12th as possible. Here, prints, paintings, pastels, and drawings are sold to collectors worldwide.
Through over 700 sold Munch works with a total value of more than NOK 300 million, we have achieved numerous record prices and solidified our position as the natural place to buy and sell Munch. In the international open auction market during the period 2000–2024, an average of around 100 graphic works by Edvard Munch have been sold each year. Approximately 30 of these – nearly one-third – have been sold through GWPA at the Munch Auction in Oslo. This makes us the leading global marketplace for graphic works by Edvard Munch.
Focus on High Quality and the Right Market
We specialize in older and modern art in the upper price segment. We typically only accept works with a lower valuation limit of NOK 50,000 (NOK 5,000 for prints). This clear profile provides predictability for both buyers and sellers.
Our Main Auctions:
- The Munch Auction: Annual special auction for Edvard Munch
- Spring and Autumn Selection: Art by renowned Norwegian masters and contemporary artists
- Art on Paper: Prints, drawings, pastels, and watercolors
Auction Records:
- Theodor Kittelsen, Kvitebjørn kong Valemon (1912): NOK 36 million (2024) – Norwegian auction record
- Harriet Backer, Fra Sandvikselven (1890): NOK 2.2 million (2014) – record for a female Norwegian artist
- Edvard Munch, Vampyr II (lithograph): NOK 11.8 million (2007) – international record for a graphic work
For Those Looking to Sell – What You Can Expect
A successful art sale is about knowledge, timing, and presentation. At GWPA, you get:
- Free, non-binding valuation
- Professional advisory in choosing sales channels
- Tailored marketing
- Low costs and “no cure, no pay” guarantee
- Personal follow-up throughout – including home visits
- Fast and secure settlement after sale
We take pride in giving each work and each client our full attention.
Expert Team with Extensive Experience
GWPA is led by Hans Richard Elgheim – managing director and auctioneer. Together with a dedicated and experienced team, we offer over 30 years of combined expertise in art history, valuation, sales, and marketing.
We know the market, understand what buyers are looking for, and build each auction with optimal results in mind. We also conduct valuations and home visits throughout Scandinavia – and in some cases internationally.
Learn More About Our Auctions and Services
We have dedicated pages for:
- Auctions: Read more about our special auctions
- Services: Valuation, advisory, and sales exhibitions
- Contact: Find the right contact person or request a valuation
- Opening Hours: When and how you can visit us in Oslo
Explore Our Auctions and Sought-After Artists
- Upcoming and Past Auctions: View catalogs, sales results, and scheduled auctions
- Artists in Demand: Find out which artists we actively seek works from
Welcome to Grev Wedels Plass Auksjoner!