Nestled in the center of Denmark‘s bustling capital, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek stands as a testament to one man‘s passion for art and his extraordinary legacy. This world-class museum, founded in 1888 by brewing magnate Carl Jacobsen, houses an unparalleled collection of over 10,000 works spanning 6,000 years of human creativity. From the haunting gazes of ancient Egyptian sculptures to the luminous brushstrokes of French Impressionist masters, the Glyptotek invites visitors to embark on a captivating journey through art history. Join us as we delve into the illustrious past and present of this cultural gem.
The Glyptotek‘s Glorious Genesis
The story of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is inextricably linked with that of its founder, Carl Jacobsen (1842-1914). Born into the renowned Carlsberg brewing family, Carl was a visionary industrialist with a deep love for art. Over the course of his life, he amassed an extensive private collection of ancient and modern sculptures, paintings, and artifacts from around the world.
In 1888, driven by a desire to share his treasures with the public, Carl commissioned the construction of a grand museum in the heart of Copenhagen. He named it the "Glyptotek," combining the Greek words for "sculpture" (glyptos) and "repository" (theke). The original building, designed by architect Vilhelm Dahlerup, featured a magnificent central Winter Garden, a lush oasis of palm trees and exotic plants surrounded by elegant galleries.
As Carl‘s collection continued to grow, so too did the Glyptotek. In 1906, a new wing was added to house the burgeoning French collection, followed by another expansion in 1996. Today, the museum encompasses over 6,000 square meters of exhibition space across four wings, each dedicated to a different era of art history.
A Journey Through Ancient Civilizations
One of the Glyptotek‘s greatest treasures is its vast collection of ancient art from the Mediterranean world and Near East. Spanning over 6,000 years, from the early high cultures of the Middle East to the fall of the Roman Empire, these galleries offer an unparalleled glimpse into the lives, beliefs, and artistic traditions of long-lost civilizations.
The Egyptian collection is particularly stunning, with over 1,900 artifacts ranging from monumental sculptures to intricate reliefs and delicate papyri. Visitors can marvel at the serene beauty of the limestone head of Queen Tiye (c. 1390-1352 BCE), the Great Royal Wife of Amenhotep III, or ponder the mysteries of the afterlife before a massive granite sarcophagus from the Late Period (664-332 BCE).
Equally impressive is the Glyptotek‘s collection of ancient Greek and Roman art. The galleries are filled with masterpieces of sculpture, from the heroic bronze figure of a victorious athlete (c. 300-100 BCE) to the pensive marble portrait of the philosopher Chrysippos (c. 200-100 BCE). The Roman section boasts an extraordinary array of statues, busts, and reliefs spanning from the Republican period to the reign of Constantine the Great.
One of the highlights of the Roman collection is the exquisite Palmyrene funerary reliefs from the ancient city of Palmyra in present-day Syria. These haunting limestone portraits, dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries CE, offer a poignant glimpse into the lives and faces of this once-thriving desert metropolis. The Glyptotek‘s collection of Palmyrene art is among the largest outside of Syria, with over 100 pieces.
Other notable sections of the antiquities collection include the Etruscan galleries, showcasing the sophisticated art and culture of this enigmatic civilization that flourished in central Italy before the rise of Rome, and the Near Eastern galleries, with artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia, Persia, and Anatolia.
The Splendor of French Art
While the Glyptotek‘s antiquities collection is undoubtedly impressive, the museum‘s holdings of 19th and early 20th century French art are equally extraordinary. The French Wing, housed in a light-filled extension built in 1906, contains over 1,000 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by many of the greatest names in modern art history.
The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries are a particular draw, with masterpieces by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin. Visitors can immerse themselves in the shimmering landscapes of Monet‘s "Windmills near Zaandam" (1871) or the vibrant hues of Gauguin‘s Tahitian-inspired "Woman with a Mango" (1892).
The Glyptotek is also renowned for its extensive collection of sculpture by Edgar Degas. The museum possesses one of only four complete sets of Degas‘ groundbreaking bronze statuettes of ballet dancers, modeled from wax originals between 1860 and 1910. These hauntingly lifelike figures, capturing the grace and grit of the Paris Opera ballerinas, revolutionized sculptural practice and have become iconic images of the Impressionist movement.
Other highlights of the French Wing include a superb selection of works by Auguste Rodin, including a monumental cast of "The Thinker" (1904), and a gallery dedicated to the radically modern paintings of the Fauvists, such as Henri Matisse and André Derain.
The Winter Garden: An Oasis of Art and Nature
At the heart of the Glyptotek lies the Winter Garden, a soaring glass-roofed atrium filled with lush palms, exotic flowers, and trickling fountains. This enchanting space, originally designed as a sculpture garden to display Carl Jacobsen‘s collection of ancient marble statues, has become a beloved icon of the museum and a favorite spot for visitors to relax and reflect.
The Winter Garden‘s elegant 19th-century iron-and-glass architecture, reminiscent of the grand orangeries of European palaces, creates a magical atmosphere of light and greenery. Amid the foliage, visitors can admire the garden‘s centerpiece: a majestic marble lion from the 2nd century CE, discovered in a shipwreck off the coast of Italy in the 19th century.
The Winter Garden also houses the Glyptotek‘s cafe, where visitors can enjoy a light Nordic lunch or afternoon coffee and cake beneath the palms. On Sundays, the space comes alive with classical music concerts, adding to the air of timeless enchantment.
Experiencing the Glyptotek: Visitor Information and Tips
The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is located at Dantes Plads 7, just a short walk from Copenhagen‘s iconic Tivoli Gardens and Central Station. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm, with extended hours until 10pm on Thursdays. Admission is 115 DKK for adults, with free entry for children under 18.
Guided tours in English are offered every Saturday at 12pm, with special themed tours available throughout the year. Audio guides in multiple languages can be rented for a small fee. The museum also offers a range of educational programs and workshops for children and families.
To make the most of your visit, we recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours to explore the galleries and Winter Garden. Comfortable shoes are a must, as the museum covers a large area. Photography is permitted in most areas, but be sure to check for any restrictions.
Don‘t miss the Glyptotek‘s well-stocked gift shop, which offers a range of art books, postcards, and reproductions of collection highlights. The museum also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, so be sure to check the website for current and upcoming events.
A Symphony of Art and History
As we‘ve seen, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is more than just a museum; it‘s a symphony of art and history, a living testament to the power of human creativity across time and cultures. From the serene faces of ancient Egyptian queens to the shimmering colors of Impressionist landscapes, the Glyptotek‘s collections offer a profound and moving encounter with the artistry of the ages.
But perhaps what makes the Glyptotek truly special is the spirit of generosity and public service that underlies its creation. Carl Jacobsen‘s vision was not merely to assemble a great art collection, but to share it with the world, to create a space where people from all walks of life could come to marvel, to learn, and to find inspiration.
Today, over 130 years after its founding, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek continues to fulfill that noble mission. As you wander its halls and gardens, surrounded by the genius of human endeavor, you become part of a timeless dialogue between art and viewer, past and present. It is a dialogue that enriches, enlightens, and uplifts us all.
So come, step into the Glyptotek‘s enchanting world of art and history. Lose yourself in the wonder of ancient civilizations, the splendor of French modernism, and the lush tranquility of the Winter Garden. Emerge refreshed, inspired, and connected to the enduring power of human creativity. This is the magic of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek – a historic haven of art in the heart of Copenhagen, and a gift to the world from a visionary collector with an extraordinary legacy.
