Kunstforeningen (

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

The Art Society), now officially called Gammel Strand after its address, is an exhibition space and non-profit membership organization located at

Gammel Strand Gammel Strand (modern Danish for "old beach"; originally meant "the old shoreline", i.e. prior to land reclamations) is a street and public square in central Copenhagen, Denmark. On the south side it borders on the narrow Slotsholmens Canal whi ...

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( or .; da, København ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a proper population of around 815.000 in the last quarter of 2022; and some 1.370,000 in the urban area; and the wider Copenhagen metropolitan ar ...

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establish ...

. 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 The Danish Golden Age ( da, Den danske guldalder) covers a period of exceptional creative production in Denmark, especially during the first half of the 19th century.Kulturnet DanmarkGuide to the Danish Golden Age Although Copenhagen had suffered ...

. They were Johan Christian Fick, professors J. L. Lund, C. W. Eckersberg and G. F. Hetsch from the

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts ( da, Det Kongelige Danske Kunstakademi - Billedkunst Skolerne) has provided education in the arts for more than 250 years, playing its part in the development of the art of Denmark. History The Royal Dan ...

, the landscape painter J. P. Møller, the art historian

Niels Laurits Høyen Niels Laurits Andreas Høyen (4 June 1798 – 29 April 1870) is considered to be the first Danish art historian and critic. He promoted a Danish nationalistic art through his writings and lectures, and exerted a far reaching effect on contempo ...

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, and 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

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 Lange Philip de Lange (c. 1705 – 17 September 1766) 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 Philip de Lange was probably born ...

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

. 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.

References

External links

Official website (English version)

Kunstforeningen
at arkitekturbilleder.dk (images) {{coord, 55.6776, 12.5776, type:landmark_region:DK, display=title Art museums and galleries in Copenhagen Organizations based in Copenhagen 1825 establishments in Denmark Art galleries established in 1825 Art societies

History

Building

Kunstforeningen today

See also

References

External links