Statens Museum for Kunst: Denmark’s national art museum

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, the Statens Museum for Kunst (or SMK) is Denmark’s leading art museum. It houses a rich collection of works spanning more than seven centuries of art history, from Renaissance paintings to the most daring contemporary creations.

Below, we’ll give you all the practical information you need, the must-see works of art and our advice on how to make the most of your visit.

Organization of the museum and periods represented

The Statens Museum for Kunst is divided into several galleries organized by period.

The museum is divided into three main sections:

• European art
• Modern and contemporary art
• Danish collections.

Each period is carefully staged to highlight the works and give you a better understanding of their historical and cultural context.

1. European art (1300 – 1800)

This section is dedicated to the European masters of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo eras. You’ll find masterpieces that trace the evolution of art in Europe, with a particular focus on the great names of painting, such as Lucas Cranach the Elder, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens…

2. The Danish Golden Age (1750 – 1850)

One of the SMK ‘s greatest prides is its collection dedicated to the Danish Golden Age, a period when Danish artists flourished and national art took off. You’ll discover scenes of daily life, serene landscapes and sensitive portraits.

• Leading painters:
  • Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg – Considered the father of Danish painting, Eckersberg shows his talent for precise perspective and luminous landscapes.
  • Vilhelm Hammershøi – the artist is famous for his pure compositions and minimalist use of light.

3. Modern and contemporary art (1900 – today)

In this section, you can explore works by 20th-century and contemporary artists. The museum boasts an impressive collection of European avant-garde and modern art, with pieces that will immerse you in movements such as Expressionism, Cubism and Abstraction.

• Key works:
  • Henri Matisse – “Portrait de Madame Matisse” (nicknamed “La raie verte”), an emblematic work of Fauvism, marking a turning point in the use of bold colors.
  • Pablo Picasso – The museum exhibits several works by Picasso, including paintings and sculptures, testifying to his leading role in artistic modernity.
  • Asger Jorn – This Danish artist, co-founder of the CoBrA movement, is well represented in the SMK’s collections, particularly with his colorful abstract works that captivate with their energy.

4. Temporary exhibitions

The SMK regularly organizes temporary exhibitions exploring a variety of themes or focusing on specific artists. These exhibitions are an opportunity to discover new talents, current trends, or fascinating retrospectives of artists from the past.

The Danish National Museum of Art as a family

The Statens Museum for Kunst is an ideal destination for a family outing.

• One of the key areas for children is theAtelier des Enfants, where they can express their creativity through painting, drawing and collage workshops. These activities are available at weekends and during school vacations.

On weekdays, even if this area is not accessible :

• You’ll find cosy relaxation areas with books and games available for free consultation.
• Games are organized around the paintings.
• In the more serious classical art galleries, SMK has thought of everything, setting up tables with interactive games.

And to complete this family outing, a large playground awaits you just outside the museum, while the Copenhagen Botanical Garden just across the road, is the perfect place to let off steam.

Our tips for your visit to the Statens Museum for Kunst

To make the most of your visit to the Statens Museum for Kunst, here are a few practical tips and tricks.

• Ideal length of visit: Allow around 2-3 hours to explore part of the permanent collections (select 1 or 2 periods) and the temporary exhibitions. If you wish to explore the entire museum, allow more time.
• Services available:
  • The museum has a café where you can relax and enjoy a hot drink or light lunch.
  • The museum store offers a wide selection of art books, souvenirs and local handicrafts.
  • Bike parking in front of the museum
• To consult the works online and prepare for your visit, you can visit the Open SMK site, which lets you explore the Statens Museum for Kunst’s vast digital collection, offering free access to thousands of works of art.
• The SMK’s Instagram page announces all the events organized by the museum.

Where is SMK located?

The Statens Museum for Kunst is ideally located in the Indre by district, just a stone’s throw from Rosenborg Castle.

Video: virtual tour of Denmark’s National Museum of Art

To give you an idea of what’s in store, here’s a sneak preview of Louisiana presented by renowned architect Jean Nouvel from the museum’s official You Tube channel.

To complete your visit, we recommend adding to your stay the Louisiana museum of modern art, 35 minutes north of Copenhagen, and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum of ancient art and classical sculpture, next to the Tivoli gardens.