The Louisiana Museum is one of the leading museums of Modern Art in the world and one of Copenhagen’s most popular tourist destinations. It was established in 1958 and expanded several times until the building reached its current shape in 1991. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk, Denmark is home to an extensive permanent collection and hosts a variety of first-class temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
In addition to the fabulous collection of contemporary art and exhibitions, the museum also offers one of the most stunning views of the Nivå bay and Sweden’s coastline. The gardens are home to a sculpture park and the café offers delicious lunch along with beautiful views. If you love modern art, you will adore this museum. We rented a car and drove to the museum and then spent the evening in the Danish Riviera.
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Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk, Denmark
Called “Louisiana” as an ode to the original builder of the site, who had three wives, all called Louise. This museum complex enjoys one of the most unique waterfront locations with a panoramic view of Sweden across the Sound. To see these larger-than-life sculptures in the outdoor setting is truly spectacular.
Permanent Collection at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark
The Louisiana Museum, which is located 25 miles north of Copenhagen, holds six to ten special exhibitions annually and has a distinguished art collection with over 3,500 works. The collection includes works by Lichtenstein, Asger Jorn and Warhol, and the cosmic Yayoi Kusama installation among others. When we visited there was a special Picasso exhibition that included his sketches and works from the early days of the artist (Unfortunately, no photos were allowed)
At Louisiana Museum, Asger Jorn is in focus and has a special permanent gallery with over 15 of his works.
Asger Jorn is one of the most recognized 20th-century painters from Denmark. He was an artist best known for his paintings, lithographs and etchings. Through his work, he experimented with the spontaneity of the line and semi-figurative representations. He was one of the co-founders of the avant-garde COBRA group in the year of 1948.
One of Jorn’s other major contributions to the development of modern art history came after he and his friend, the artist Guy Debord, founded the Situationist International in 1957. Asger Jorn was incredibly prolific as an artist, creating artworks across all mediums, creating painting, sculpture, ceramics and collage.
The vibrant collection at Louisiana is not represent in a chronological line of modern art. but instead focuses on concentrated groups of works and artists of which help you can gain a deeper understanding of the artworks.
We were lucky to have caught a special Cool, colorful, provocative, exhibition by Poul Gernes – I cannot do it alone—want to join in? Poul Gernes is one of the truly great Danish artists of the post-war generation. Genres is known to be a colorful and optimistic designer and as the inveterate critic of capitalism, but also as a pioneer of a new conception of art and the artist’s role in society.
Louisiana’s permanent collection includes three paintings by Pablo Picasso hang in the South Wing.: Woman and Flute Player III (1956), Luncheon on the Grass (1961) and The Card Player II (1971).
You can find a few of Andy Warhol’s artworks here including the Four Marlons, 10 Flowers on silk screen, Jackie on silk screen mounted on paper (below); and Portrait of Josef Beuys.
Gleaming Lights of the Souls
Gleaming Lights of the Souls is a permanent installation at the Louisiana Museum by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The installation consists of a single space, a 4 by 4-meter room entirely covered in mirrors. As you stand on a little platform surrounded by water, hanging from the ceiling are hundreds of lights that change color ever so subtly and are reflected what seems to be a million times in the room’s mirrors. It is absolutely stunning and well worth a visit to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art near Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Sculpture Park
A visit to the Louisiana Museum could not be complete without a walk around the Sculpture Park and museum grounds. What we loved about it was that the sculptures were not imposing on the beauty of the gardens. Set against the shore of the Øresund Sound (the sea dividing Denmark from Sweden), set among the huge trees and blending with nature, you will find the most incredible collection of over fifty sculptures, including works by Alexander Calder, Richard Serra, Joan Miro and Henry Moore.
You can wander around admiring the sculptures scattered around and ponder over the meaning of each before you take a seat and enjoy the beautiful view over the Baltic Sea and the Swedish coast.
The sculptures in the Park are positioned so that they interact with the architecture and nature surrounding them.
See a short story of the museum here.
Louisiana Cafe
Don’t miss a meal at the Louisiana Cafe for lunch or coffee. It has one of Denmark’s most beautiful panoramic views over the Øresund to the coast of Sweden. During the warmer months, guests can enjoy both the food and the view on the large Calder Terrace outside the Cafe. The museum also has a cute gift shop – Louisiana Butik which has a nice selection of products ranging from classic to new and experimental Danish and Scandinavian design – posters, books, toys, interior design and much more.
Additional Information
Getting to Louisiana Museum from Copenhagen is relatively easy. Louisiana is located in Humlebæk, about 35 km north of Copenhagen. We rented a car for the day and drove to the museum and to Helsingør. You can take a train from Copenhagen Central Station (København H) and take any of the trains heading towards Helsingør. They depart every 20 minutes approximately. Get off at Humlebæk/Louisiana and follow the signs towards the museum. You’ll be walking for about 10-15 minutes on flat terrain. Admission to the museum is 125 DKK for adults.
The address for the museum is Gl. Strandvej 13, Humlebæk, Denmark
See here for their online channel and their website for additional information.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Denmark is not just the second most visited museum in Denmark, but it is also the 85th most visited museum in the world, and is included in Patricia Schultz’ book “1000 Places to See Before You Die“.
I hope you enjoyed this virtual museum walk at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. If you like contemporary art you might also like Zeitz MOCAA, Fort Worth MODERN and SFMOMA.
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