From Tuesday 15 May until the end of summer, Gripsholm Castle will be open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. The castle, which is celebrating its 475th anniversary, offers something for everyone – from a floor dedicated to a princess, an 18th-century theatre, an armoury and a prison tower to one of the world’s biggest portrait collections. This year the family tours will start at 1 pm.
Nationalmuseum has acquired a painting by Swedish artist Hjalmar Sandberg. Sandberg participated in exhibitions in Paris in the 1870s and mixed with the greatest Swedish artists of the age, but is a name that has almost been forgotten. The painting of a scene in Vichy is inspired by French Realism and can be seen in the Modern Life exhibition.
Nationalmuseum’s collection of applied art and design now includes a number of pieces made in silversmith Gustaf Möllenborg’s workshop in Stockholm. The new acquisitions, which comprise a mantel clock, a pair of candlesticks and two salt cellars featuring elves eating porridge, are on display at the museum in the gallery of applied art and modern design.
10 May marks the start of Nationalmuseum’s Slow Art, an exhibition where technique, materials and painstaking processes take centre stage. The focus is on doing things well rather than quickly, on quality over quantity. The exhibition will present 30 or so works of applied art – all unique examples of superb craftsmanship.
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.
