Kunstforeningen (
English The Art Society), now officially called Gammel Strand after its address, is an exhibition space and non-profit membership organization located at
Gammel Strand in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
,
Denmark
Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...
. It was founded in 1825 to promote and support art through public exhibitions, lectures, acquisitions of art works for distribution among the members, support of artists and publications on art.
History
Kunstforeningen was founded as a temporary society in 1825 by a circle of the most influential figures of the Danish art world during the
Danish Golden Age
The Danish Golden Age () covers a period of exceptional creative production in Denmark, especially during the first half of the 19th century.Kulturnet DanmarkGuide to the Danish Golden Age Although Copenhagen had suffered from fires, Battle of Co ...
. They were Johan Christian Fick, professors
J. L. Lund,
C. W. Eckersberg and
G. F. Hetsch from the
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts () has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark.
History
The Royal Danish Academy of Portraiture, Sculpture, and Architecture in Cope ...
, the landscape painter
J. P. Møller, the art historian
Niels Laurits Høyen and
Just Mathias Thiele, the secretary of the academy. In 1827, it became a more well-defined and active organization but by 1829 still had only 71 members. The purpose was to broaden the knowledge of art and to bridge the gap between the elite and a wider public.
From the beginning, it also aimed to influence and not just support the Danish scene, probably prompted by Høyen. This was achieved by commissioning artworks, rather than just buying finished works, and through prize competitions. After opposition among members in 1835, this activist practice was toned down in 1835 and more focus was directed at the acquisition and redistribution among members. The society also funded various public artworks. The first public art exhibition was held in 1828 and featured 117 paintings by
Jens Juel.
In 1835, the society had grown to 1,100 and in the early 1860s it had reached 1,700 members. Weekly sessions were held at Hotel Du Nord, and from 1826 at the Freemasons Hall, while the exhibitions were held at the
City Hall
In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or municipal hall (in the Philippines) is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses the city o ...
. Later the society's activities relocated several more times before finding their current base at
Gammel Strand in 1952. Ever since, the focus has increasingly been on art exhibitions.
On 26 September 2010, the building reopened after a major renovation.
Building
Kunstforeningen's building at Gammel Strand is a town house from 1750. It was designed by
Philip de Lange.
Kunstforeningen today
Kunstforeningen hosts five exhibitions every year. The emphasis is on Danish and international
contemporary art
Contemporary art is a term used to describe the art of today, generally referring to art produced from the 1970s onwards. Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world. Their art is a ...
. One of the annual exhibitions is of works by the year's graduates from the
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts () has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark.
History
The Royal Danish Academy of Portraiture, Sculpture, and Architecture in Cope ...
.
The building has a second entrance at the rear, at Læderstræde 15, which is recommended for those in wheelchairs or with prams since it has an elevator providing direct access to all floors.
[
]
See also
* Danish Golden Age
The Danish Golden Age () covers a period of exceptional creative production in Denmark, especially during the first half of the 19th century.Kulturnet DanmarkGuide to the Danish Golden Age Although Copenhagen had suffered from fires, Battle of Co ...
References
External links
Official website (English version)
Kunstforeningen
at arkitekturbilleder.dk (images)
Isenberg House
{{coord, 55.6776, 12.5776, type:landmark_region:DK, display=title
1825 establishments in Denmark
Art museums and galleries established in 1825
Art museums and galleries in Copenhagen
Art societies
Organizations based in Copenhagen