Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Danish Culture
The Nivaagaard Collection presents masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, Dutch Baroque and Danish Golden Age.
Northern Zealand’s best-kept art secret Five centuries of art masterpieces gathered in an intimate exhibition space set by the coast – Nivaagaards Malerisamling (The Nivaagaard Collection) is arguably northern Zealand’s best-kept art secret. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, the museum presents work from the Italian Renaissance, Dutch Baroque and Danish Golden Age, as well as modern and contemporary special exhibitions. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Nivaagaards Malerisamling
Founded by Johannes Hage (1842-1923) in 1908, The Nivaagaard Collection is based on the impressive private art collection of Hage, a politician, landowner and local entrepreneur. The collection includes pieces by Danish and international masters such as Rembrandt and P.C. Skovgaard, but it is not just the impressive collection of art that surprises visitors, but also the museum’s beautiful setting, large romantic garden and special atmosphere, says museum director Andrea Rygg Karberg. “Our museum is still up and coming – it’s a bit of a secret, especially to tourists, and many are quite taken aback by the experience. It’s 500 years of art presented in an easily accessible manner and 88 | Issue 119 | December 2018
surrounded by beautiful settings, but it’s the special atmosphere of the place that people really love.” The museum is set by the coastline of Nivaa, a 30-minute drive from Copenhagen, and surrounded by a large garden full of old trees and beautifully abundant rhododendron.
A gift to the people In 1903, Hage asked the architect Johan Schrøder to erect a small temple for his beloved art collection. In 1908, he converted the art collection into an independent institution open to the public, and today, two extensions later, the temple is still
part of the building of The Nivaagaard Collection. “Hage was a socially enlightened man; he created health insurance for his workers and built a school, a hospital, a nursing home, a church and a harbour for the town. He was very aware of his privilege and the responsibility that came with that, and that’s also why he wanted everyone to be able to enjoy his art collection,” says Karberg. “That’s part of what makes the place special – that you can sense the person behind it and the significance he has had in this town. It’s an intimate and private atmosphere, and a place where you can find the time to relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of art.” The Nivaagaard Collection has expanded continuously over the years. Today, visitors are presented with a changing exhibition of 100 artworks from the museum’s own collection as well as two or three special exhibitions a year. On top of the exhibitions, the museum also com-