Programme of the week
Orla Valdemar Borch (earlier attributed to Jóhannes Kjarval), Lumpfish, no date LÍ-ÞGIG 2
Exhibiton Opening at The National Gallery
The National Gallery of Iceland invites you to the opening of the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries, on Saturday, April 12th 2025, at 2 pm.
Copies of works of art, and forgeries of various kinds, have been known from ancient times, and cases of art fraud still come up around the world. Many collections include works of questionable provenance, which have been acquired in a variety of ways, and the National Gallery of Iceland is no exception. With this exhibition, the National Gallery of Iceland aims to promote awareness of art forgeries in Iceland.
The exhibition presents nine stories of forged artworks that have found their way into the museum in different ways. It includes both works that are entirely forged and works that have been altered with falsified signatures, as well as authentic pieces for comparison by four pioneers of Icelandic visual art.
President Halla Tómasdóttir will open the exhibition.
More: The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries | National Gallery of Iceland
Facebook event: (20+) Opnun / Opening! Ráðgátan um Rauðmagann og aðrar sögur um eftirlíkingar og falsanir | Facebook
Dagny Heiðdal and Ólafur Ingi Jónsson
Curator led tour
National Gallery of Iceland | April 13, 2025
You are warmly invited to a curator-led tour this Sunday at 2 PM at the National Gallery of Iceland.
Curator Dagný Heiðdal and conservator Ólafur Ingi Jónsson welcome guests to the exhibition The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries. The exhibition examines fakes and forgeries that have come to light based on recent research. It traces how experts in the museum field authenticate objects in the collections that are under their care – a process that requires expertise in conservation science, art history, and connoisseurship.
More: Curator led tour | National Gallery of Iceland
Facebook event: (20+) Leiðsögn sýningarstjóra – Ráðgátan um Rauðmagann og aðrar sögur um eftirlíkingar og falsanir | Facebook
Event – The Culture House | April 12, 2025
Krummi Kids’ Club
Tufti the Troll and Brian Pilkington
You are warmly invited to a fun and creative workshop with Krummi Kids’ Club this Saturday from 2 PM to 4 PM at the Culture House.
We'll be drawing giant trolls with the well-known troll illustrator and author Brian Pilkington and snapping photos with Tufti the Troll, who will be visiting the main hall of the Culture House as part of the Children’s Culture Festival.
The workshop is led by Ingibjörg Hannesdóttir, an education and outreach specialist.
Free for the whole family!
This event is supported by the Reykjavík Children's Culture Festival Fund.
President Halla Tómasdóttir with children at the opening of the Children's Culture Festival at the National Gallery of Iceland.
Event – The Culture House | April 12, 2025
Children’s Culture Festival at the National Gallery of Iceland
April 8–13
The Children’s Culture Festival at the National Gallery of Iceland opened in style yesterday, with two exhibitions now on view in the Reading Hall of the Culture House on Hverfisgata. Both exhibitions center around themes of dialogue and cultural diversity.
Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, honored the children with her presence and officially opened the exhibitions at a festive ceremony. Tufti the Troll didn’t miss the occasion either and was met with great joy by attendees.
We look forward to the week ahead! The exhibitions will be open through April 13 during regular museum hours, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
All are welcome.
More: Children's Culture Festival at the National Gallery of Iceland 2025 | National Gallery of Iceland
Event schedule on Facelbook:(20+) Barnamenningarhátíð í Listasafni Íslands 2025 | Facebook
Agnieszka Sosnowska, Július and Arna, Nátthagi (2020)
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.
Among the treasures in the museum shop is this beautiful poster featuring a photograph by Polish-American photographer Agnieszka Sosnowska.
For the past quarter-century, she has lived on a farm in Northeast Iceland. During the winter months, she works as a primary school teacher, capturing delicate and powerful moments from school life. Her images portray awkwardness, vulnerability, anxiety, friendship, and emerging self-awareness—depicting children on the threshold of adulthood.
The work Júlíus and Arna, Nátthagi (2020) is currently on view in the exhibition The Intimacy of the Everyday, which runs through May 4 at the National Gallery of Iceland.
Poster: Nánd hversdagsins (sýningarplakat) / Intimacies of the Everyday (exhib – Listasafn Íslands
All products: Allar vörur / All products – Listasafn Íslands
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 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!