SMK - The National Gallery

The National Gallery of Denmark: Seven Centuries of Art in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s Artistic Heart: The National Gallery of Denmark

In the vibrant city of Copenhagen, just a short walk from Nørreport station, stands SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst). As Denmark’s largest art museum, SMK offers an unparalleled journey through seven centuries of Danish and international art, presenting a rich and varied selection that ranges from European Renaissance classics to the overwhelming diversity of modern and contemporary art. It serves as a dynamic cultural hub, inviting visitors to experience grand masters, cutting-edge contemporary artists, and rising stars of the art scene through special exhibitions, royal collections, guided tours, performances, art talks, concerts, and workshops.

A Legacy Forged Through Royal Collections

The origins of the National Gallery of Denmark’s extensive collections can be traced back to the Danish Royal Art Chamber (Kunstkammeret). Around 1750, under the guidance of Gerhard Morell, Keeper of the King’s Art Chamber, large-scale purchases of Italian, Netherlandish, and German paintings were made to ensure the collection rivaled those of other European royal houses. This early focus led to a particularly strong representation of Flemish and Dutch art, including Rembrandt’s “Christ Healing the Sick”.

The museum itself was formally established in 1896, providing a new home for the Royal Art Gallery, which had been housed in Christiansborg Palace until its destruction by fire in 1884. Over the 19th century, the collection grew significantly with works almost exclusively by Danish artists, resulting in an unrivaled collection from the Danish Golden Age.

Architectural Evolution: Blending History and Modernity

The original museum building, designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup and G. E. W. Møller, was constructed between 1889 and 1896 in a Neo-Renaissance revival style. To accommodate its expanding modern art collection, a large contemporary extension, designed by architects Anna Maria Indrio and Mads Møller from C. F. Møller Architects, was added in 1998. These two distinct architectural periods are seamlessly connected by a glass-paneled “Street of Sculptures” walkway and theatre, which spans the entire length of the museum and offers views of the Østre Anlæg park. This area frequently hosts talks, concerts, and installations.

Diverse Collections: A World of Art Under One Roof

The National Gallery of Denmark’s collections are truly vast, comprising nearly 9,000 paintings and sculptures, approximately 240,000 works of art on paper, and over 2,600 plaster casts. These treasures are presented across several key departments:

• European Art 1300–1800: This comprehensive collection spans 500 years, featuring works by masters such as Mantegna, Rubens, and Derain, with a particular emphasis on Italian, Netherlandish, German, French, and Flemish pieces.
• Danish and Nordic Art 1750–1900: Charting Scandinavian art from the Danish Golden Age to the birth of Modernism, this section displays over 400 works by artists like C. W. Eckersberg, Christen Købke, and Vilhelm Hammershøi. SMK is especially renowned for its beautiful collection of Danish Golden Age art.
• French Art 1900–1930: This collection, largely a donation from collector Johannes Rump in 1928, features some of the museum’s most famous pieces by artists such as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and André Derain. SMK boasts one of the world’s best Matisse collections.
• Danish and International Art After 1900: Housed in the 1998 extension, this collection primarily focuses on significant examples of modern Danish art, offering a chronological overview and smaller galleries dedicated to specific artists or movements . It also holds the country’s most comprehensive collection of Danish contemporary art.
• The Royal Collection of Graphic Art: This impressive collection contains over 240,000 works on paper, including copper prints, drawings, etchings, watercolors, and lithographic works, dating from the 15th century to the present day. Its origins trace back to the time of Christian II, with Albrecht Dürer himself gifting prints to the King in 1521.
• The Royal Cast Collection: Located at the West India Warehouse, this collection comprises over 2,000 plaster casts of statues and reliefs from antiquity to the Renaissance, intended to educate visitors on the evolution of human form representation in Western art .

A Vibrant Cultural Hub

The National Gallery of Denmark is more than just a repository of art; it’s a lively meeting place for a wide audience. The museum regularly hosts 8-10 major exhibitions annually, presenting both modern art classics and contemporary international artists and architects. Its relaxed atmosphere and rich program of activities and events cater to both children and adults, making it a vibrant cultural center for all ages.

Interesting Fact:

The significant collection of early French Modernist paintings, donated by Johannes Rump in 1928, was initially offered to SMK in 1923 but was rejected by the then-director, who did not believe it was of high enough quality. This highlights how artistic tastes and perceptions can evolve dramatically over a short period.

The National Gallery of Denmark stands as a testament to artistic excellence and cultural heritage, offering an inspiring and comprehensive exploration of art history that continues to captivate and educate visitors from around the globe.

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