A museum for the city’s most famous sculptor
Thorvaldsen lived in Rome for more than 40 years and became one of the most famous artists of his time. In 1838, he bequeathed both his works and his art collections to his native city of Copenhagen, which built an entire museum dedicated to his works. Thorvaldsen’s Museum opened in 1848 and was the country’s very first public museum. The museum’s architecture and the sculptures on display interact beautifully, and the brightly colored and richly decorated rooms are a very special experience.
Sculptures in plaster and marble
The museum contains over 900 of Thorvaldsen’s own works – sculptures and reliefs in plaster and marble as well as drawn and modeled sketches for the sculptures. Most of the motifs are taken from Greek and Roman mythology – but there are also a large number of portrait busts and sculptures of European citizens, clergy and royalty, who all commissioned their portraits from the famous sculptor. The museum also houses Thorvaldsen’s collection of Danish and European paintings and his collection of marble sculptures, vases, coins and much more from Egypt, Greece and Italy.
Thorvaldsen lived in Rome for more than 40 years and became one of the most famous artists of his time. In 1838, he bequeathed both his works and his art collections to his native city of Copenhagen, which built an entire museum dedicated to his works. Thorvaldsen’s Museum opened in 1848 and was the country’s very first public museum. The museum’s architecture and the sculptures on display interact beautifully, and the brightly colored and richly decorated rooms are a very special experience.
Sculptures in plaster and marble
The museum contains over 900 of Thorvaldsen’s own works – sculptures and reliefs in plaster and marble as well as drawn and modeled sketches for the sculptures. Most of the motifs are taken from Greek and Roman mythology – but there are also a large number of portrait busts and sculptures of European citizens, clergy and royalty, who all commissioned their portraits from the famous sculptor. The museum also houses Thorvaldsen’s collection of Danish and European paintings and his collection of marble sculptures, vases, coins and much more from Egypt, Greece and Italy.
A building full of surprises
The distinctive and colorful museum building in the middle of the city is an experience in itself. On the museum facade, Jørgen Sonne’s frieze tells the story of Thorvaldsen’s return from Rome to Copenhagen in 1838, where Copenhageners, including Hans Christian Andersen, received him as a folk hero. Andersen, received him as a folk hero. The interior of the museum is atmospheric and characterized by colorful ceiling decorations and mosaic floors – which is why it is also very popular with artists who are inspired by both the sculptures and the colorful rooms, and children can also get a great experience from walking among the impressive giant figures.
The distinctive and colorful museum building in the middle of the city is an experience in itself. On the museum facade, Jørgen Sonne’s frieze tells the story of Thorvaldsen’s return from Rome to Copenhagen in 1838, where Copenhageners, including Hans Christian Andersen, received him as a folk hero. Andersen, received him as a folk hero. The interior of the museum is atmospheric and characterized by colorful ceiling decorations and mosaic floors – which is why it is also very popular with artists who are inspired by both the sculptures and the colorful rooms, and children can also get a great experience from walking among the impressive giant figures.