5 Can’t Miss Art Exhibits in Copenhagen

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If you’re planning a visit to Denmark in the near future, you’ll want to make sure that you make a plan to visit the many Art Exhibits in Copenhagen.

There’s an overwhelming amount of art and culture in Copenhagen that it can feel overwhelming. Keep reading to learn the top five can’t miss art exhibits in this exciting city. 

Art Exhibits In Copenhagen

The city of Copenhagen might be small, but it’s incredibly fascinating. Here you will find and see the history of the Vikings settlement and stunning Scandinavian architecture.

This Danish capital has been an important European destination through the years, with a vast array of captivating museums that tell the story of both this city and Denmark’s exciting evolution. 

Any art aficionado will feel in paradise in this city as they fill their days wandering around Copenhagen darting from museum to museum, taking in the many art attractions. These historic museums allow you to take in both international and Nordic art alike.

Wander around the National Gallery of Denmark, take in the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, admire the Design Museum of Denmark, gaze around Glyptoteket, and don’t miss the Worker’s Museum. 

If you have no idea what we’re talking about, don’t worry. We’re going to break down what each of these art exhibits offers, so you can decide which to put on your travel itinerary. And remember, these are just five of dozens of exhibits this city has to offer.

5 Can’t Miss Art Exhibits in Copenhagen

1. The National Gallery of Denmark

This is Denmark’s largest museum of art that’s complete with captivating pieces from the 1300s all the way up to the present day. The National Gallery of Denmark is the perfect place to not only learn about the country itself but also to immerse yourself in Western European culture. Here you can find weekly art talks that teach you about how history has influenced Danish culture.

So make sure you really take the time to immerse yourself in each room of the gallery. At the end of your journey, unwind with a glass of wine in the Kafeteria. Danh Vo elegantly designs the cafe in the museum.

Here you’ll see a combination of Danish design paired with furniture by the Italian designer Enzo Mari, and light sculptures by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. 

2. Louisiana Museum Of Modern Art

Knud W. Jensen founded this museum in 1958 as a shrine to Danish modernists. The Lousiana quickly evolved over the years into a truly international museum with work by artists from all around the world. This hub can be found 25 miles north of Copenhagen on the coast with breathtaking views of Sweeden, which you can spot across the sound. 

Architects Wihlem Wohlert and Jorgen Bo designed this museum. The structure of the building is on the ground of an old villa that celebrates the outdoors and the art inside. This museum’s art spans from 1945 to the present day and includes about 4,000 pieces of art that represent movements including American Pop Art, European Nouveau Realisme, and Minimalism. 

Most of this massive collection is in rotation, but the paintings in Asger Jorn Gallery and the sculptures in the Giacometti Gallery are always on display. 

3. Design Museum Danmark

Demark has an incredibly influential and rich design legacy. The best place to see this design evolution vibrantly captured is at the Design Museum of Denmark. This museum was formally called the Museum of Art and Design, and it was founded in 1890. 

Since 1926 this museum has been housed in what was once a Rococo-style hospital that was overhauled by the furniture designer Kaare Klint. The collection in this museum doesn’t only pay homage to other Scandinavian countries and Denmark, but it also houses crafts, arts, and industrial design from all of East Asia and the Western World. 

4. Glyptoteket

This place was designed first as a Greco-Roman winter garden with a wild oasis of tall palm trees and water fountains. But the greatness of the museum really has more to do with how it was created more than it’s art exhibits.

Brewer and the owner of the beer brand Carlsberg, Carl Jacobsen, was also a passionate art collector. So he dedicated his private art collection to the city in 1888, and this is what gave rise to Glyptoteket which was founded in 1897. 

This move was also an example of a Danish tradition where people always give something back to their country. Jacobsen was an antique art collector, and the museum exhibits paintings and sculptures throughout the years.

The work on the display here includes artworks from French Post-Impressionism, the Danish Golden Age. Here you will find artwork from famous artists like Monet, Rodin, and Renoir. 

On Tuesdays, entry to the museum is free, so play accordingly. This place is an excellent escape to the hustle and bustle of Copenhagen during the week. 

5. The Workers Museum

If you want to get an authentic glimpse of what everyday life was like in Copenhagen in the 1950s, you’ll want to visit this museum, which is in the Workers Assembly Building. Here you’ll find permanent exhibitions of 150 years of industrial history, which highlights the savviness and adaptability of shipyard riveters, sewists, and brewery bottles.

Here you will also find a preserved 1950s apartment with furniture that reflects the post World War II era’s upward mobility. You will even find replicas of electronic and dairy shops from that decade. This museum is easy to navigate and small, so you might want to spend most of your time roaming the Sorensen home. 

This is the home of a working-class Copenhagen family that moved their eight children into a two-room apartment in 1915, and a second-generation staying in that same tiny apartment all the way until 1989. 

Plan A Trip To Copenhagen Today 

Now that you know the top five Art Exhibits in Copenhagen, it’s time to plan your trip today. Copenhagen has a culture that is so rich in art and design; you don’t want to miss these breathtaking and memorable attractions. For more resources are art attractions, be sure to check out our blog.