When Nationalmuseum’s building closes down to be emptied for a year, its operations and collections will be moving out to continue engaging with the public across Sweden. Through a new collaboration with the illustrious Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Nationalmuseum will also maintain a fixed base in the capital during the renovation period.
At Bukowski’s autumn auction last year, Nationalmuseum acquired one of Johan Tobias Sergel’s few remaining clay models from a series of royal portraits, a bust that has been in private ownership until now. The portrait of the 21 year-old Duchess Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta has a freshness and immediacy, with clear traces of the sculptor at work.
This spring’s big exhibition, Passions, opens on 8 March, and explores how artists have depicted various emotions over the centuries, from the Renaissance to the present day. The artists represented include such names as Dürer, Munch, Rembrandt, Tony Oursler, Rineke Dijkstra and Bill Viola.
Over the spring and summer, Nationalmuseum is showing The Art of Exaggeration – Caricature in Sweden. The exhibition encapsulates the development of Swedish caricature art, from the private sphere to a public prominence that echoes around the world. On display are around 90 drawings, prints and digital images from the 16th century to the present day.
From 19 April, visitors will be able to see Nationalmuseum’s extensive collection of French 19th-century art presented in a new way. The exhibition charts the modern way of living that emerged during that period and how it influenced art. It forms part of a project to test out future ways of presenting the museum’s collections in the refurbished building.
Nationalmuseum has acquired the painting Trädgårdsinteriör från Linköping by Swedish artist Johan Krouthén. The detailed painting depicts army surgeon Ernst Boman and his family and is dated 1887-1888. Nationalmuseum previously only owned one painting by Krouthén, and is thus pleased to be able to add this work from the artist’s best period.
Nationalmuseum has acquired one of four known examples of Edward Hald’s Cactus Exhibition vase dating from 1926. This is a superb example of the high-quality glass, decorated in contemporary style, for which Orrefors was known in the early 20th century. One of the other examples is owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Next year Nationalmuseum presents emotions, slow art and female artists in pursuit. With this program Solfrid Söderlind leaves after nine years as Director General. After New Year Berndt Arell will take over the government’s appointment as Director General for Nationalmuseum. A major collaboration with Jamtli in Östersund will also be carried out during the year.
Next spring and summer, Nationalmuseum will be showing The Art of Exaggeration – Caricature in Sweden. The exhibition follows the development of Swedish caricature art through the ages, from the private sphere to a public position that echoes around the world. Recently caricature and cartoons have once again become the burning issue that they were two hundred years ago.
This spring’s big exhibition at Nationalmuseum, Passions, is all about emotion in art. Starting on 8 March, over 100 works depicting emotions such as sorrow, fear and joy will go on show. The artists represented include Dürer, Munch, Rembrandt, Tony Oursler, Rineke Dijkstra and Bill Viola.
At an ordinary public auction this past April, Nationalmuseum purchased a magnificent terracotta sculpture by French artist Claude Michel, known as Clodion. The piece, thought to date from the 1780s, depicts a satyr embracing a young nymph. Clodion’s superb attention to detail and perfect balancing of the two figures makes this one of his most significant works.
A centenary appeal launched earlier this year to mark the 100th anniversary of the Friends of Nationalmuseum has raised a total of SEK 10.66 million. The donations have funded the purchase of a painting by Flemish artist Nicolas Régnier, which was handed over to Nationalmuseum at a gala evening on 21 November.
