Introduction The Nationalmuseum is the national gallery of Sweden and one of the most important museums in Europe. It is located on Blasieholmen, a peninsula in central Stockholm, and houses an extensive collection of art and design from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum's benefactors include King Gustav III and Carl Gustaf Tessin, and it was founded in 1792 as Kungliga Museet ("Royal Museum").
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden
Introduction
The Nationalmuseum is the national gallery of Sweden and one of the most important museums in Europe. It is located on Blasieholmen, a peninsula in central Stockholm, and houses an extensive collection of art and design from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum's benefactors include King Gustav III and Carl Gustaf Tessin, and it was founded in 1792 as Kungliga Museet ("Royal Museum").
Collection
The Nationalmuseum has a collection of over 700,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and decorative arts. The museum's holdings include masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, and Renoir, as well as Swedish masters like Carl Larsson, Anders Zorn, and Ernst Josephson.
The museum's collection of paintings is particularly strong, with over 16,000 works dating from the 14th century to the present day. The collection includes examples of Italian Renaissance art, Dutch Golden Age painting, French Impressionism, and Swedish Romanticism. Some highlights of the collection include "The Drunken Faun" by Johan Tobias Sergel (
Painting by 'Johan Tobias Sergel' : The Drunken Faun), "Mars and Venus" by Johan Tobias Sergel (
Painting by 'Johan Tobias Sergel' : Mars and Venus), and "The Cook" by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (
Painting by 'Giuseppe Arcimboldo' : The Cook).
The museum's collection of decorative arts is also noteworthy, with over 30,000 objects dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The collection includes examples of Swedish silver, glass, textiles, and ceramics, as well as international works in these media.
Building
The current building of the Nationalmuseum was built between 1844 and 1866 and is inspired by northern Italian Renaissance architecture. It was designed by the German architect Friedrich August Stüler, who also designed the Neues Museum in Berlin. The building's closed exterior belies its spacious interior, which is dominated by a large flight of stairs leading to the topmost galleries.
The museum was enlarged in 1961 to accommodate the museum workshops, and the museum's current restaurant was opened in 1996. The building closed for renovation in 2013 and reopened on 13 October 2018 after a $132 million overhaul.
Accessibility
The Nationalmuseum is accessible to visitors with disabilities, with wheelchair access to all galleries and facilities. The museum offers guided tours in Swedish and English for visitors with visual impairments, and audio guides are available in several languages.
Location
The Nationalmuseum is located on Blasieholmen, a peninsula in central Stockholm. It is easily accessible by public transportation, with several bus and tram stops nearby. The museum is also within walking distance of many of Stockholm's other major attractions, including the Royal Palace (
Stockholm Palace) and Gamla Stan (Old Town).
Conclusion
The Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden is a must-visit destination for art lovers. With its extensive collection of masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present day, the museum offers something for everyone. Whether you're interested in Italian Renaissance art, Dutch Golden Age painting, French Impressionism, or Swedish Romanticism, the Nationalmuseum has something to offer. So if you're planning a trip to Stockholm, be sure to include the Nationalmuseum on your itinerary.
References