Press release -
Nationalmuseum loans works to Swedish Ecstasy exhibition in Brussels
On 17 February the exhibition Swedish Ecstasy opens at Bozar in Brussels, showcasing works by Swedish artists inspired by mysticism and spirituality. As partner in the project, Nationalmuseum is providing 40 works by Carl Fredrik Hill, Ernst Josephson and August Strindberg on loan. These include The Water Spriteby Josephson, Wonderland by Strindberg and Apple Tree in Blossom by Hill. The paintings will be on show alongside other paintings by Hilma af Klint in the historical section of the exhibition, which also features works by contemporary artists such as Cecilia Edefalk, Christine Ödlund, Carsten Höller, Lars Olof Loeld and Daniel Youssef.
“This exhibition is produced in connection with Sweden’s EU presidency, and the idea is to present a somewhat unexpected side of Sweden, which is often seen as a country that embodies pragmatic and rational attitudes. August Strindberg’s mysticism and Hilma af Klint’s spiritual universe tell a different story,” said Per Hedström, director of exhibitions at Nationalmuseum.
Swedish Ecstasy is on show at Bozar, Centre for Fine Arts, in Brussels from 17 February to 21 May 2023. The exhibition is curated by Daniel Birnbaum in collaboration with Ann Flas from Bozar.
Media contact
Hanna Tottmar, head of press: press@nationalmuseum.se, +46 8 5195 4400
Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design. The collections comprise some 700 000 objects, including paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphic art from the 16th century up to the beginning of the 20th century and the collection of applied art and design up to the present day. Nationalmuseum’s responsibility is to preserve and make art accessible and provide knowledge. The museum was appointed the Swedish Museum of the Year 2022.
