Shaping modern life
- Danish art and design 1900-1960
Discover some of the biggest names in Danish art as Kunsten opens the doors to six decades of art history. Encounter works by Anna Ancher, Vilhelm Lundstrøm, Asger Jorn and Wilhelm Freddie, among others, and explore works from Kunsten’s own collection dating from around 1900 to the 1960s.
Along the way, you’ll discover some of the artistic movements that transformed art during the first half of the 20th century. From modernism’s fresh approach to colour and form to surrealism’s exploration of the unconscious and the spontaneous, expressive visual language of the CoBrA artists. Bringing together well-known masterpieces and works that are rarely on display, the exhibition offers a broad perspective on a period in which art underwent remarkable changes in just a few decades.
Canvases and Armchairs
In the exhibition, paintings and sculptures from Kunsten’s extensive collection are presented alongside design, furniture and decorative arts characteristic of the periods and artistic movements explored throughout. The artworks are displayed alongside designs by Hans J. Wegner, Poul Henningsen, Finn Juhl, Nanna Ditzel and Grete Jalk, among others.
Together, they offer a glimpse into the times in which they were created, revealing how ideas about form, materials, function and modern life crossed the boundaries between art, architecture and design.
The exhibition also tells the story of how what we now consider classics of Danish art and design came into being. Artists, architects and designers were part of the same cultural developments, helping to shape new ideas about both art and everyday life.
Classics and new perspectives
In the exhibition, you can explore familiar classics from Kunsten’s collection while discovering works and artists that have gained greater prominence in the collection in recent years.
A key focus is on women artists, who have historically been less visible in both museum collections and art history. Recent acquisitions help broaden the narrative, placing familiar works and artists in new contexts.
The exhibition also explores how the canon of what we now consider classical art history has taken shape – and whose work has been recognised and included over time.
Kunsten’s collection comprises almost 4,000 works by Danish and international artists, dating from the early 1900s to the present day. That’s far more than we can display at the museum at any one time.
That’s why we created Kunsten Collection – our digital database, where you can explore the entire collection.
At collection.kunsten.dk, you can discover everything from Asger Jorn and Vilhelm Lundstrøm to Julie Nord.
Zoom in on details, save your favourites and curate your own digital exhibitions using the My Collections feature. It’s the easiest way to explore Kunsten’s world of art – whether you’re a researcher or simply curious.