Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is a museum of both antique and modern art in Denmark. It houses more than 10,000 artworks. The museum has the biggest collection of antique art, remarkable work collection of 19th-century French impressionist paintings and sculpture, and European modern art. The ancient Greek marble, Egyptian artifacts, and French sculptures create a unique space that rejoices art and the space in which art is present.

Glyptoteket is among the few museums of the world, where the interior, right down from the colors of the walls to the mosaics floor, speaks loudly to the viewer. Generally, in museums, the prime focus is shed on displayed items, while the Glyptoteket museum gives a fair share of the attention to its building and its collection.

As the museum is full of characters, we are going to describe a few of them.

Founder's History

Carl Jacobsen created this museum in 1888. By profession, Carl Jacobsen was a brewer; his motto was a Latin phrase "Semper Ardens," – which means "always burning." This motto was equally applied to his relationship with the arts. He made the largest private art collection of his regime. It was named Ny Carlsberg after his brewery, and the word "Glyptotek," means the collection of sculpture. 

 

Museum's Architecture

The Glyptoteket museum has four buildings:

• In 1897, Vilhelm Dahlerup architect designed the first building.
• In 1906, the second museum's conservatory was designed. 
• Later on, the architect Hack Kampmann's building was also opened for housing the collection of ancient works. 
• For the collection of French paintings, architect Henning Larsen designed a new award-winning building in 1996. This marble and concrete made wing is one of the best internationally acclaimed architect work.

These magnificent buildings of the museum are filled with artistic atmosphere, and every corner depicts a new story. The museum has two main departments to display combining art in impressive architectural surroundings.

 

 

The Antiquities department

The Antiquities department possesses tremendous collections of Roman, Egyptian, Greek portrait heads, and Etruscan art that provides a delightful stroll of art and history of 3500 years. It comprises sculptures, mummies, bronze objects, frescoes, vases, and sarcophagi, dating from 6,000 BC to 5th century AD. 

The collection's most well-known pieces include :

• The stone head of Egyptian king Amenhotep II (15th century BC)
• Complete tomb of an Etruscan prince (8th century BC)
• Emperor Caligula's marble head (1st century AD).

 

The Modern Department

The prime focus of the Modern Department is on presenting the art of the 19th and 20th centuries. It includes Danish painting and sculpture, French art, and a beautiful collection of Rodin works. The majority of the collection is comprised of French Impressionist artwork by great masters such as van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin. You will love to see the French impressionist work by these great masters of arts. The modern art collection includes the work of Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Hans Arp, and Alberto Giacometti.

 

Beautiful winter garde

In the heart of the museum, there is a large beautiful winter garden with palm trees, a fish pool, and a fountain. It provides a refreshing and peaceful ambiance where you can enjoy your lunch or a coffee while enjoying the surrounding.

Rooftop Terrace

The Glyptotek museum has one of the most beautiful rooftop terraces of Copenhagen, which presents a delightful view of the city. World-renowned Danish architect Henning Larsen designed it. 

Glyptoteket's floor

The floors of Glyptoteket convey stories just like the art hanging on the walls. In the Kampmann building, the Mosaics of Scottish Times are a tribute to the Carl Jacobsen's wife. The Barley Capitulum mosaic is a tribute to the main ingredient of beer.

The light of Glyptoteket

It is a daylight museum which means that the light in the exhibition halls, is mainly from the skylight windows. However, in 2015, the museum was acquainted with evening lighting, you can now visit Glyptotek till 10 pm.

Sculpture garden

Behind the Glyptoteket museum, there is a stunning sculpture garden with an elegant array of beautiful flowers. Here you can see Rodin's famous "Grubler," also famous as "The Thinker." It's an image of a man lost in thoughts, but his powerful body proposes a great ability for action. It's a most celebrated sculpture ever known. You can visit this garden free of cost.

Glyptoteket is considered as an oasis. In the last decade, approximately 350,000 visitors have visited it annually, making it the most popular art museum in Denmark. The museum's eclectic architecture gives every tourist a chance to disengage from the day-to-day routine and make the visit delightful without any sense of obligation.