Kunstforeningen
Encyclopedia
Kunstforeningen now officially called Gammel Strand after its address, is an exhibition space and non-profit membership organization located at Gammel Strand
in Copenhagen
, Denmark
. It was founded in 1825 to promote and support art through public exhibitions, lectures, acquisitions of art works for distribution among the members, support of artists and publications on art.
and G. F. Hetsch
from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, the landscape painter J. P. Møller, the art historian Niels Laurits Høyen and Just Mathias Thiele
, the secretary of the Academy. In 1827 it became a more well-defined and active organization but by 1829 still had only 71 members. The purpose was to broaden the knowledge of art and to bridge the gap between the elite and a wider public. From the beginning, it also aimed to influence and not just support the Danish scene, probably prompted by Høyen. This was achieved by commissioning artworks, rather than just buying finished works, and through prize competitions. After opposition among members in 1835, this activist practice was toned down in 1835 and more focus was directed at the acquisition and redistribution among members. The society also funded various public artworks. The first public art exhibition was held in 1828 and featured 117 paintings by Jens Juel
.
In 1835 the society had grown to 1,100 and in the early 1860s it had reached 1,700 members. Weekly sessions were held at Hotel Du Nord, then from 1826 at the Freemasons Hall, while the exhibitions were held at the City Hall
. Later the society's activities relocated several more times before finding their current base at Gammel Strand
in 1952. Ever since, the focus has increasingly been on art exhibitions.
On 26 September 2010 the building reopened after a major renovation.
.
The building has a second entrance at the rear, at Læderstræde 15, which is recommended for those in wheelchairs or with prams since it has an elevator providing direct access to all floors.
Gammel Strand
Gammel Strand is a street and public square in central Copenhagen, Denmark. On the south side it borders on the Slotsholmens Canal while the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century...
in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. It was founded in 1825 to promote and support art through public exhibitions, lectures, acquisitions of art works for distribution among the members, support of artists and publications on art.
History
Kunstforeningen was founded as a temporary society in 1825 by a circle of the most influential figures of the Danish art world during the Danish Golden Age. They were Johan Christian Fick, professors J. L. Lund, C. W. EckersbergChristoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg was a Danish painter. He was born in Blåkrog in the Duchy of Schleswig , to Henrik Vilhelm Eckersberg, painter and carpenter, and Ingeborg Nielsdatter...
and G. F. Hetsch
Gustav Friedrich Hetsch
Gustav Friedrich Hetsch was a German-born, Danish architect.Hetsch was born in Stuttgart and studied at the University of Tübingen and in Paris, where his teacher was Charles Percier. After finishing his studies, he worked for Jean-Baptiste Rondelet on the Church of Sainte-Geneviève...
from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, the landscape painter J. P. Møller, the art historian Niels Laurits Høyen and Just Mathias Thiele
Just Mathias Thiele
Just Mathias Thiele was a Danish writer and art historian. A central personage during the Danish Golden Age in the first half of the 18th century, he contributed to Danish cultural life in a number of capacities...
, the secretary of the Academy. In 1827 it became a more well-defined and active organization but by 1829 still had only 71 members. The purpose was to broaden the knowledge of art and to bridge the gap between the elite and a wider public. From the beginning, it also aimed to influence and not just support the Danish scene, probably prompted by Høyen. This was achieved by commissioning artworks, rather than just buying finished works, and through prize competitions. After opposition among members in 1835, this activist practice was toned down in 1835 and more focus was directed at the acquisition and redistribution among members. The society also funded various public artworks. The first public art exhibition was held in 1828 and featured 117 paintings by Jens Juel
Jens Juel (painter)
Jens Juel was a Danish painter, primarily known for his many portraits, of which the largest collection is on display at Frederiksborg Castle.-Early life and career:...
.
In 1835 the society had grown to 1,100 and in the early 1860s it had reached 1,700 members. Weekly sessions were held at Hotel Du Nord, then from 1826 at the Freemasons Hall, while the exhibitions were held at the City Hall
Copenhagen Court House
The Copenhagen Court House is a historic building located on Nytorv in Copenhagen, Denmark. Originally built as a combuined city hall and courthouse, it now serves as the seat of the District Court of Copenhagen...
. Later the society's activities relocated several more times before finding their current base at Gammel Strand
Gammel Strand
Gammel Strand is a street and public square in central Copenhagen, Denmark. On the south side it borders on the Slotsholmens Canal while the north side is lined by a row of brightly coloured houses from the 18th and 19th century...
in 1952. Ever since, the focus has increasingly been on art exhibitions.
On 26 September 2010 the building reopened after a major renovation.
Building
Kunstforeningen's building at Gammel Strand is a town house from 1750. It was designed by Philip de LangePhilip de Lange
Philip de Lange was a leading Dutch-Danish architect who designed many different types of building in various styles including Dutch Baroque and Rococo.-Early life and family:...
.
Kunstforeningen today
Kunstforeningen hosts five exhibitions every year. The emphasis is on Danish and international contemporary art. One of the annual exhibitions is of works by the year's graduates from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.The building has a second entrance at the rear, at Læderstræde 15, which is recommended for those in wheelchairs or with prams since it has an elevator providing direct access to all floors.