Den Frie Udstilling ('The Free Exhibition') is a Danish artists' association, founded in 1891 by artists in protest against the admission requirements for the

Kunsthal Charlottenborg Kunsthal Charlottenborg is an exhibition building in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is the official exhibition gallery of the Royal Danish Academy of Art. History Charlottenborg Palace was constructed in 1672–83 as a residence for Ulrik Frederik Gy ...

. Modeled on the

Salon des Refusés The Salon des Refusés, French for "exhibition of rejects" (), is generally known as an exhibition of works rejected by the jury of the official Paris Salon, but the term is most famously used to refer to the Salon des Refusés of 1863. Today, ...

, it is

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

's oldest association of artists. Now located on

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...

's Oslo Plads next to

Østerport Station The fortifications of Copenhagen underwent a comprehensive modernization and expansion in the 17th century. The project was commenced and was largely the masterplan of Christian IV in the early 17th century but was continued and completed by his s ...

, it works as an

arts centre An art centre or arts center is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues fo ...

, continuing to exhibit works created and selected by contemporary artists rather than those chosen by cultural authorities.

History

The organization was initiated by the painter Johan Rohde (1856–1935) and included several founding members: Jens Ferdinand Willumsen,

Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen (born Anne Marie Brodersen; 21 June 1863 – 21 February 1945) was a Danish Sculpture, sculptor. Her preferred themes were domestic animals and people, with an intense, naturalistic portrayal of movements and sentime ...

Vilhelm Hammershøi Vilhelm Hammershøi (), often anglicised as Vilhelm Hammershoi (15 May 186413 February 1916), was a Danish painter. He is known for his poetic, subdued portraits and interiors. In 1905, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote of the artist, "Hammershøi is no ...

, Johanne Cathrine Krebs, the couple

Harald Harald or Haraldr is the Old Norse form of the given name Harold. It may refer to: Medieval Kings of Denmark * Harald Bluetooth (935–985/986) Kings of Norway * Harald Fairhair (c. 850–c. 933) * Harald Greycloak (died 970) * Harald Hardrad ...

and Agnes Slott-Møller, Christian Mourier-Petersen and

Malthe Engelsted Malthe Odin Engelsted (born Malta Odin on 8 August 1852 in Nivågård, Sjælland - 21 December 1930 in Faxe Ladeplads) was a Danish people, Danish Master of Arts, M.A. and Painting, painter. Biography His father, was a military officer. In 1870, ...

. The first exhibition in 1891 presented 100 works by 18 artists, including

Peder Severin Krøyer Peder Severin Krøyer (; 23 July 1851 – 21 November 1909), also known as P. S. Krøyer, was a Danish painter. Life Growing up and early training Krøyer was born in Stavanger, Norway, on 23 July 1851 to a single mother, Ellen Cecilie Gjes ...

, Julius Paulsen and

Kristian Zahrtmann Peder Henrik Kristian Zahrtmann, known as Kristian Zahrtmann, (31 March 1843 – 22 June 1917) was a Danish painter. He was a part of the Danish artistic generation in the late 19th century, along with Peder Severin Krøyer and Theodor Philipsen, ...

, who were among Denmark's greatest painters of the period."Om Den Frie"
, Den Frie Udstilling. Retrieved 30 January 2013. The first exhibition was hosted by Kleis' Kunsthandel, a combined art gallery and gilder's business situated at

Vesterbrogade Vesterbrogade () is the main shopping street of the Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Vesterbro district of Copenhagen, Denmark. The 1.5 km long street runs from the City Hall Square, Copenhagen, City Hall Square in the east to Pile Allé in Frederiksbe ...

58 in Vesterbro. It opened on 27 March 1891. In 1893,

Thorvald Bindesbøll Thorvald Bindesbøll (21 July 1846 – 27 August 1908) was a Denmark, Danish National romantic architect, sculptor and ornamental artist. He designed the Dragon Fountain, Copenhagen (''Dragespringvandet'') and is perhaps best known as the cre ...

designed a wooden pavilion for the association on a plot near City Hall Square in the very centre of

. That year, international painters such as

Paul Gauguin Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements. He was also an influ ...

and

Vincent van Gogh Vincent Willem van Gogh (; 30 March 185329 July 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade, he created approximately 2,100 artworks ...

exhibited works there. In 1898, Den Frie Udstilling moved to Aborreparken where a new pavilion inspired by Egyptian and Greek temples was designed by Willumsen who added an octagonal extension in 1905. As today, the facade was decorated with a relief of

Pegasus Pegasus (; ) is a winged horse in Greek mythology, usually depicted as a white stallion. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. Pegasus was the brother of Chrysaor, both born from Medusa's blood w ...

, a symbol of freely inspired art drawn from Greek mythology. In 1913, the building was moved to its present location on Oslo Plads, maintaining sections of Willumsen's work. In 1915, disagreements among its members led to the establishment of

Grønningen Grønningen is a Danish artists cooperative whose members arrange exhibitions and similar events. Founded in 1915, it is one of the oldest and most important groupings of its kind in Denmark and currently has 54 members. It is named after the str ...

but Den Frie Udstilling has nevertheless maintained its central place in Danish art. Since 1950, exhibitors have included such famous names as Ole Schwalbe, Richard Mortensen,

Ejler Bille Ejler Bille (6 March 1910 – 1 May 2004) was a Danish artist. Biography Ejler Bille was born in Odder, Denmark. He was the son of Torben Holger Bille and Anna Kirstine Lysabild Jensen. Bille graduated from Birkerød State School in 1930, and then ...

and Wilhelm Freddie,

Willy Ørskov Willy Ørskov (21 December 1920 in Aarhus – 12 June 1990 in Helsingør) was a Danish sculptor who is remembered for works created from plastics and inflatable materials. Biography Ørskov's studies at the Valand School of Fine Arts in Gothenbu ...

, Hein Heinsen and

Bjørn Nørgaard Bjørn Nørgaard (born 21 May 1947 in Copenhagen) is a Art of Denmark, Danish artist who has been active in a variety of fields. He has significantly influenced the art scene in Denmark both through his "happenings" and his sculptures in Danish ...

Den Frie Udstillingsbygning by Julius Aagaard

In 1987, Den Frie Udstilling became a

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Hi ...

. Although comprehensive restoration work was completed in 2006, further improvements reflecting Williumsen's original designs will be completed in 2014. There will also be significant extensions.

Current exhibitions

Den Frie Centre of Contemporary Art - Copenhagen - DSC07300

Den Frie Udstilling continues to exhibit contemporary art selected by the artists who are members of the association. As a result, the building hosts exhibitions of experimental art and related activities. The association's goal is to act as a platform for artistic divergence, reducing the gap between tradition and innovation. While a focus on artists' collectives and experimental groups is maintained, there are also exhibitions devoted to promising new artists or those who have made an important contribution to the history of art. The Artists' Autumn Exhibition () has been held at Den Frie since 1915. It is an open exhibition, allowing anyone to submit works to be judged by a committee consisting of earlier exhibitors.

Gallery

Peter Hansen - Fra pladsen San Giovanni i Rom - 1899.png , ''Fra pladsen San Giovanni i Rom''
Peter Hansen Laurits Andersen Ring - Sædemand. Frederiksværk - 1901.png, ''Sædemand. Frederiksværk''
Laurits Andersen Ring Viggo Pedersen - Solnedgang over Havet. Haga. Kullen - 1916.png, ''Solnedgang over Havet. Haga''
Viggo Pedersen

References

Bibliography

*Bente Lange (2011): ''Den Frie – Kunstnernes Hus'', Copenhagen, Den Frie Udstillingsbygning. .

Other Sources

Den Frie Udstillingsbygning
FKD

External links

Official site

Den Frie Udstillingsbygning
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frie Udstilling, den 1891 establishments in Denmark Art exhibitions in Denmark Art museums and galleries in Copenhagen Arts centres in Denmark Danish artist groups and collectives Listed buildings and structures in Copenhagen Listed buildings and structures in Østerbro Organizations established in 1891 Relocated buildings and structures in Denmark