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Copenhagen, Denmark is filled with interesting museums. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (also known as the Glyptoteket) has the finest collection of art in the city, including works from prominent French & Danish artists such as Van Gogh, Degas, Rodin, Monet, Renoir, Eckersberg, Købke, Lundbye and more.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Visitor Information
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (official website) is located in central Copenhagen just south of Tivoli Gardens. It’s right on hop-on, hop-off bus routes as well as other public transportation lines. There is an admission fee. Entry is included with the Copenhagen Card. The museum used to offer free days on Tuesdays, but this is no longer the case, instead scaling back to free days on the last Wednesday of each month due to overcrowding.
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was collected by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg beer empire. Who among us hasn’t made some extravagant purchases that were influenced by beer?
The main focus of Jacobsen’s collection is sculpture, hence the museum’s name. Glyptotek combines the Greek root glyphein (to carve) and theke (storing place). However, it also includes pieces of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, & Danish Golden Age art. The museum features works from all over Europe. There is a particular focus on French & Danish artists, including art from Rodin, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, Degas, Cezanne, Eckersberg, Købke, Lundbye, and more.
Jacobsen donated his Glyptoteket collection to the Danish State and the City of Copenhagen in 1888, who constructed the initial main red brick historicist building on the site of former fortifications. The building opened in 1897. It has undergone several expansions over the years, including a neo-classical wing & the infill of a former courtyard.
Highlights of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Today, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek collection consists of over 10,000 items.
There are several Auguste Rodin sculptures including The Burghers of Calais.
Théodore Rousseau’s Thunderstorm over Mont Blanc is presented in a room by itself, complete with thunderstorm audio.
There is also a special exhibit of all of Edgar Degas’ bronze sculptures, including one casting of his famous Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek also has rooms of European impressionist & post-impressionist paintings.
I love Vincent Van Gogh’s work, particularly when viewed in person. If you’ve only ever seen his paintings in a book, be sure to pay extra attention to them. When you’re actually looking closely, you’ll notice the three-dimensional qualities that make them leap off the canvas. This painting is called Mountainous Landscape Behind Saint-Paul Hospital.
Additionally, there are more ancient sculpture works from Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
If you like sculptures & statues, you will love the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.
The building itself is also interesting, with a large courtyard & Winter Garden that welcome plenty of natural light. Other galleries such as the one above also catch the eye beyond the art that is displayed.
There are also some modern exhibits & temporary galleries in Glyptoteket, including a walled-off room, filled with confetti and fans, so the contents were constantly shifting. The work was called We All Fall Down by Lara Favaretto.
Although it’s a fairly small museum compared to the grandest art museums in Europe, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek provides a nice overview of some of the most notable artists, as well as ancient sculpture.
Here are some great Copenhagen tours & activities & other things to see & do in Copenhagen.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Copenhagen, check out these hotels. For restaurant recommendations, go here.
