Visit Louisiana Art Gallery, Denmark
Just north of Copenhagen lies one of the best art galleries in Denmark, Louisiana.
A short walk from Humlebæk train station, the beautiful gallery and surrounding sculpture park offers panoramic views and works from some of the world’s greatest artists.
In this guide, I’m taking you through a short history of Louisiana, as well as my advice on what to see when you are there, and how to get there.
With an impressive permanent collection of international and Danish art, including the well-known Giacometti Gallery and the largest collection of contemporary art in Scandinavia; Louisiana also holds some ground-breaking exhibitions. The museum blends art installations with its strong architecture and landscaped sculpture garden to create a unique space. Recent shows have included US photographer Taryn Simon, Japanese visionary Tetsumi Kudo and Danish artist Per Kirkeby.
A short history of Louisiana
From the beginning in 1958 the founder, Knud W. Jensen, intended for the museum to be a home for modern Danish art. But after only a few years he changed course, and instead of being a predominantly Danish collection, Louisiana became an international museum with many internationally renowned works.
Louisiana’s close contact and collaboration with the international arts and cultural scene has since been one of the museum’s greatest strengths. The materials of the gallery - painted brick, whitewashed walls, wooden ceilings, exposed beams and red-brown floor tiles reference the surrounding Sjaelland landscape. Walking around as a visitor though, there’s domesticity in the architecture which makes you makes you feel at home, not like you are in an art gallery but instead having a tour of an art collector’s mid-century house.
The founder, Knud W. Jensen, sought to create a museum with soul, where the public could encounter artwork, not in a pretentious setting for the elite, with cold white-box galleries, but in a welcoming place with something for everybody.
Why is it called Louisiana?
Many people wonder about the name of the museum. Knud W. Jensen chose to rename the country house that he later converted into a museum. The property was built and named in 1855 by Alexander Brun (1814-93), who was an officer and Master of the Royal Hunt and who married three women who were all named Louise. So it’s nothing to do with the US state!
Visiting Louisiana
Louisiana is closed on Mondays!
The best way to get there is by train to Humlebæk station, which is 35 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station with a short walk. If you're driving, there is free parking.
They are open Tuesday-Friday 11am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Their delicious cafe and restaurant serves lunch 12-4pm and dinner 6-9pm, open from 11am for drinks. There is a children's area which takes over 3 floors, open 11-6pm Tuesday to Sunday, and they run lots of workshops for kids, so check those out if you are going with the family.
Prices: Adults 145 DKK, Students with card, 125 DKK, free for under 18s.
While you are visiting Denmark, you might also be interested in my guides to
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