Thorvaldsens Museum

Facts

Denmark's first museum

By Camilla Mordhorst , Ph.d. i museumsformidling og cand.comm. i kommunikation og etnologi. (8 stories)

In 1839-48, what is now the oldest, and possibly the finest, museum building in Denmark, was built alongside Christianborg Palace. The architect, Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, transformed a former carriage house into a monument to the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen and his life's work. Thorvaldsen lived in Rome for more than 40 years, and was one of the most acclaimed artists of his time. In 1838 he bequeathed his works and art collections to his native city of Copenhagen. The brightly coloured museum houses more than 400 of Thorvaldsen's works, a comprehensive collection of paintings and a collection of antiques. The museum facade bears Jørgen Sonne's frieze of the reception given to Thorvaldsen by the people of Copenhagen in 1838.

Public place

Selected entry

Hero's welcome for homecoming artist

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Story written by Camilla Mordhorst

Time / Periode 1838

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In the middle of the afternoon on 17 September 1838, the frigate Rota berthed in the port of Copenhagen, with her precious cargo of Thorvaldsen and most of his works. People sailed out to meet them: one person fell overboard, able-seamen raised their oars in salute and Hans Christian Andersen waved as Thorvaldsen returned to walk once again on Danish soil. The works were carefully hoisted ashore and transported away by carriage. All the great and good of Copenhagen's artistic golden age appear to have turned out. Yet the painter Jørgen Sonne also depicted the absentees. Poets, artists and politicians are portrayed. Sonne's depiction is not only of a grand civic event, but also of the new prominence of the middle-classes who shaped the culture and politics of 19th century Denmark.