New Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, Denmark Photo by Dietmar Rabich Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek


 

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (“ny” means “new” in Danish; “Glyptotek” comes from the Greek root glyphein, to carve, and theke, storing place), commonly known simply as Glyptoteket, is an art museum in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The collection represents the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen (1842–1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.It is primarily a sculpture museum, as indicated by the name. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about it;

1.The focal point of the museum is antique sculpture

The focal point of the museum is antique sculpture from the ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, including Egypt, Rome and Greece, as well as more modern sculptures such as a collection of Auguste Rodin’s works, considered to be the most important outside France. 

However, the museum is equally noted for its collection of paintings that includes an extensive collection of French impressionists and Post-impressionists as well as Danish Golden Age paintings.

2.The museum was founded in 1888 by brewer Carl Jacobsen

Carl Jacobsen was a dedicated art collector. He was particularly interested in antique art, but over the years he also acquired a considerable collection of French and Danish sculptures. When his private villa in 1882 was extended with a winter garden, sculptures soon outnumbered plants in it.

The same year the collection was opened to the public. In the following years the museum was expanded on a number of occasions to meet the need for more space for his steadily growing collections. In 1885 his ‘house museum’ had grown to a total of 19 galleries, the first 14 of which had been designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup while Hack Kampmann had built the last four as well as conducted a redesign of the winter garden. 

3.The Museum’s building is unique in its own right

The entrance to the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen, Denmark Photo by xiquinho silva Wikimedia

The building is often noted for its elegance in its own right and the synthesis it creates with the works of art.The Dahlerup Wing, the oldest part of the museum, is a lavish historicist building. The façade is in red brick with polished granite columns in a Venetian renaissance style. It houses the French and Danish collections.

The Kampmann Wing is a more simple, neo-classical building, built as a series of galleries around a central auditorium used for lectures, small concerts, symposiums and poetry readings.The two wings are connected by the Winter Garden with mosaic floors, tall palms, a fountain and topped by a dome made in copper and wrought iron.

The Henning Larsen Wing is a minimalistic infill, built in a former inner courtyard and affording access to the roof. Official meetings and banquets sometimes take place in the Glyptotek, such as the certification of Polio-free Europe, 21 June 2002. 

4.The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek’s collections comprise more than 10,000 works of art

Ancient Roman art collection at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen Photo by Jakub Hałun Wikimedia

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek’s collections comprise more than 10,000 works of art including; The Antique collection displays sculptures and other antiquities from the ancient cultures around the Mediterranean. 

The French Collection whose main focus is 19th-century French painting and sculpture, The Danish Collection which contains a large collection of Danish Golden Age paintings and The European Collection which comprises works from the 18th to the 20th century.

5.The museum also has an Auditorium which is mainly used for classical concerts

The Auditorium is mainly used for classical concerts. The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is in general noted for its good acoustics, both in the auditorium and in the surrounding long halls. The Auditorium has been used as a rehearsal room by the Early music vocal ensemble Musica Ficta. 

It has also regularly performed concerts, both in the Auditorium and the surrounding halls. Occasionally the Auditorium is also used for other musical genres. The Auditorium is also used for other cultural events, such as poetry readings, lectures and debates.

6.The museum as been used as a location in several movies and an inspirational for different buildings

The museum is used as a location in several  films including; The Stjerneskud (1947), Fodboldpræsten (1951), Dorte (1951), Mød mig på Cassiopeia (1951), Bruden fra Dragstrup (1955) and Den kære familie (1962).

The building was the inspiration for different buildings including the set design of the Valkyries’ Rock in Kasper Holten’s 2006 production of Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Copenhagen Opera House.

7. The museum often holds special exhibitions

The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek often holds special exhibitions which are presented as an integrated part of the museum experience. These exhibitions may require that certain works in the permanent collection, normally accessible to the public, will not be on display. 

In the beautiful and spacious Winter Garden, you can take a breather and refresh yourself at Cafe Picnic where you can enjoy a piece of cake, a light lunch, or maybe just a coffee in the peaceful surroundings. The gallery also has a small bookshop and souvenir shop.

8.The museum also has a winter garden and also a cafe

Interior of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Photo by Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen Wikimedia

The museum also has a winter garden which is great and there is also a nice cafe where you can sit and take in the ambience and people watch. The food looked good too. The museum itself has different exhibitions and buildings to explore. 

The interior garden is also spectacular in a way and is surrounded by statues. The Palm garden at the entrance however are a relaxing place to sit when one is tired, especially as the cafe at the museum is always full to capacity.

9.There are several hotels and restaurants near it

There are several hotels and restaurants near the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum including; Nobis Hotel Copenhagen which is 0.05 miles away, Hotel Danmark (0.13 mi),  Joachim Svane B&B (0.10 mi), Motel One Kopenhagen (0.18 mi) Nimb Hotel which is 0.25 miles away. 

Restaurants near it include;Cafe Glyptoteket which is 0.01 miles away, Restaurant Karla (0.10 mi), Restaurant Flammen Kobenhavn HCA (0.07 mi) Restaurant NOI(0.06 mi), L’Enoteca di Mr. Brunello which is 0.14 miles away. 

10.The wonderful buildings are filled with atmosphere

The wonderful buildings are filled with atmosphere and every corner offers a new experience. The heart of the museum is the classic 1906 sub-tropical winter garden with tall palm trees, a fountain and a fish pool.

The museum was founded by the renowned brewing magnate Carl Jacobsen, who made Carlsberg beer known world wide. Address:Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek,Dantes Plads 7,1556 Copenhagen V. 

The museum is one of the most sought after attractions in Denmark and among the most visited places. Its fame goes beyond Denmark and Northern Europe.