Treasures of a Nation
Collective Exhibition
5.6.2021 — 2.2.2023
In this building the National Gallery of Iceland displays masterpieces of Icelandic art. Here are works of art dating from the latter half of the 19th century to the present day, that reflect the artists’ wide-ranging themes, offering visitors the welcome opportunity to see many of the nation’s most important works of art
5.6.2021 — 2.2.2023
Project Manager of Exhibition
Dagný Heiðdal
Texts
Dagný Heiðdal
Marketing
Guðrún Jóna Halldórsdóttir
Events and Educational Programme
Ragnheiður Vignisdóttir
On 1 March 2021 the Culture House passed into the keeping of the National Gallery. The building, completed in 1909, was originally built to house the National Library, National Archives and National Museum collections. It was the first purpose-built facility for such collections in Iceland. This splendid old building now enables the National Gallery to hold a standing exhibition of key works from its collections, and it is a welcome addition to the Gallery’s exhibition spaces.
Róska 1940-1996
Hlandblautar löggur, 1967
Still lifes are also seen, in which artists work with everyday objects from their surroundings, colour, form and diverse textures; and, last but not least, the exhibition includes a selection from the National Gallery’s extensive collection of abstract art.
The top floor of the Culture House was in past times a popular viewing-point for the townspeople of Reykjavík, as the building stood high above the fast-expanding town around it. In the attic visitors can look out of the windows across the harbour to the sea beyond, and see for themselves the vistas that have inspired so many artists, as manifested in their art.
Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson 1953-
Fiskar sjávar, 1995
The exhibitionTreasures of a Nation in the Culture House throws light on the invaluable collections of the National Gallery of Iceland; the art reflects the zeitgeist of each era, for art is in constant dialogue and renewal, in step with society itself
The top floor of the Culture House was in past times a popular viewing-point for the townspeople of Reykjavík, as the building stood high above the fast-expanding town around it.
