Programme of the week
Oleg Valdimar Borch (earlier attributed to Jóhannes Kjarval), Lumpfish, no date LÍ-ÞGIG 2
Save the date!
The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries opens on April 12.
The National Gallery of Iceland presents the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries.
Imitations of artworks and various kinds of forgeries have existed since ancient times, and cases of forgeries still arise around the world where much is at stake. Many museums house fakes and forgeries that have entered their collections in various ways — the National Gallery of Iceland is no exception.
This exhibition tells nine stories of forged works that have come into the museum’s possession by different means. All are connected to the a major art forgery case that began in the 1990s.
With this exhibition, the National Gallery of Iceland aims to both raise awareness about art forgery in Iceland and introduce the investigative methods that help uncover the origins of artworks.
Curated by Dagný Heiðdal and Ólafur Ingi Jónsson.
Facebook event: Opnun / Opening! Ráðgátan um Rauðmagann og aðrar sögur um eftirlíkingar og falsanir | Facebook
More: The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries | National Gallery of Iceland
Steinunn Harðardóttir, Nathalie Jacqueminet, Dagný Heiðdal, Ólafur Ingi Jónsson, Sigurður Gunnarsson
Revealing the Deception – Course 2025
A Course for Adults
Revealing the Deception – On Imitations and Forgeries
Offered in connection with the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries, this course from the National Gallery of Iceland invites adult learners to explore the intriguing world of art imitations and forgeries.
Grounded in both historical context and real-life case studies from the museum’s holdings, the course provides a rare opportunity to gain insight into how fakes are identified, understood, and interpreted. Participants will learn directly from the Gallery’s specialists, who will share their expertise, methods, and behind-the-scenes knowledge.
Instructors: Dagný Heiðdal, Nathalie Jacqueminet, Ólafur Ingi Jónsson, Sigurður Gunnarsson, and Steinunn Harðardóttir.
This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in history, art, or museum work—as well as for the simply curious who wish to explore, understand, and appreciate art more deeply.
No prior background in art is required. This course is held in Icelandic.
More: Revealing the Deception – On Imitations and Forgeries | National Gallery of Iceland
From the exhibition That’s a Very Large Number – A Commerzbau
Guided Tour in english and Elevator Music on Good Thursday
At the National Gallery of Iceland
We warmly welcome you to Good Thursday on March 27th!
On the last Thursday of every month, the National Gallery of Iceland is open until 10:00 PM. On this occasion, visitors can purchase an annual pass to the museum building at the regular admission price.
The café Kaktus Espressobar will also be open until 10:00 PM on Long Thursday, offering Happy Hour on wine and beer from 5:00–8:00 PM.
A tapas platter with a glass of wine is available for just ISK 2,900.
▪️ 6:00–8:50 PM – Hide and Seek #3
Hide and Seek is a project created by a diverse group of artists responding to the steady decline of grassroots music venues by transforming unconventional and unused spaces in Reykjavík into sites for concerts and art events.
Each venue is used only once—and this time, the setting is the freight elevator of the National Gallery of Iceland.
▪️ 8:00 PM – Guided Tour
Join Pari Stave, chief curator of the National Gallery of Iceland, for a guided tour of the exhibition This is a Very Large Number (Commerzbau) by Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir.
Please note: the tour will be conducted in English.
This critically acclaimed and playful exhibition was Iceland’s official contribution to the 2024 Venice Biennale. Featuring sculptures and installations, the show explores the curious relationship between humans and the mass-produced objects that surround us.
Curated by Dan Byers.
Facebook event: Fimmtudagurinn langi / Good Thursday | Facebook
From a kids course a the National Gallery
Summer Courses – June & August 2025
The Magic Workshop
Creative Art courses for Kids – Now Open for Registration!
The National Gallery of Iceland invites 7-9 years old (born 2016-2018) children to take part in engaging and inspiring summer workshops!
Held in the Workshop at the National Gallery by the pond, these courses are designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Inspired by the museum’s exhibitions, participants will explore artworks up close, develop their sense of color and form, and experiment with various artistic techniques, including painting and sculpture.
The goal is to help children engage with visual art with confidence and curiosity through hands-on activities, discussions, and immersive experiences. At the end of each workshop, a special exhibition will be held where family and friends can admire the children’s creations.
Join us for a magical summer of creativity and exploration!
Info and registration: Courses for kids | National Gallery of Iceland
Engaging and inspiring summer workshops for kids at the National Gallery of Iceland!
Alone in the Forest (1898) by Bertha Wegmann. LÍ-350
National Gallery of Iceland Museum Shop – 2025
Unique Gifts at the National Gallery’s Museum Store
The Museum Shop at the National Gallery of Iceland is filled with high-quality, carefully curated gift items. Visitors can browse a wide selection of exciting products in the online store, including books, greeting cards, jewelry, posters, and more.
One of the shop’s treasures is a beautiful poster of Alone in the Forest (1898) by Bertha Wegmann.
Stop by today and discover something special to take home!
Posters at the museum store of the National Gallery of Iceland: Plaköt / Posters – Listasafn Íslands
One of the shop’s treasures is a beautiful poster of Alone in the Forest (1898) by Bertha Wegmann.
Jacqueline with a Yellow Ribbon, 1962 by Pablo Picasso, LÍ-7450
Final Exhibition Weekend!
Looking Inward, Looking Outward: 140 years of the National Gallery of Iceland
The exhibition Looking Inward, Looking Outward: 140 years of the National Gallery of Iceland is currently on view at the National Gallery by the pond. This extensive anniversary exhibition is divided into four parts and have been closing in stages.
the second to last Gallery of the exhibition, Gallery 2, will close on March 30.
Titled Picturing the Self and Others, Gallery 2 features portrait works by a diverse group of artists. This genre of art carries a sense of immortality, as the portrait captures the subject at a specific moment in time—rendered permanent in art. It reveals how the sitter appeared to others, or wished to be seen, and affirms their place in society.
Final Exhibition Weekend!