Do you want to see art museums Reykjavik? Looking for an art gallery in Reykjavik? Find the best art museums and photo galleries in Reykjavik here. Despite the relatively small size of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik is a city famous for its culture, exhibition space, and devotion to the fine arts. Visitors to countries looking to explore the artistic heritage of Icelanders will find their desired abundance; Galleries and photo exhibitions can be found around almost every corner, proudly displaying the creative and proud themes of the island’s most famous artists.
istasafn Reykjavíkur – Reykjavik Art Gallery
Perhaps the most well-known exhibition space of the Reykjavik Art Museum is located in Hafnarhús. The building can be found right next to Old Harbor and was a warehouse for anglers in the 1930s before rebuilding in April 2000. Throughout the renovation process, great care was taken to remove most of the proper original architecture. The building is a new addition to the Reykjavik Art Gallery and has six exhibition spaces, as well as an architecturally unique outdoor courtyard.
Hafnarhús is a permanent work of one of Iceland’s postmodern artist heroes, the country’s most famous contemporary artist, Erie Permanente, born Guðmundsson (1932) in Ólafsvík. He later studied at the Florence Academy of Arts in Italy and the Oslo Academy of Arts in Norway. For most of his life, Array lived in France, Thailand, and the Formentera Spanish island. It is one of the best art museums Reykjavik has.
Kjarvalsstaðir – Kjarval Museum
The second and one of the best buildings of the art museums Reykjavik wide, dedicated to the Icelandic painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972), exhibits various paintings and sculptures by the artist. Jóhannes S. Kjarval is considered one of the essentials in the history of Iceland.
As a young man, Jóhannes S. Kjarval worked as a fisherman. He was also an extensive drawer and painter. At the age of 227, he received financial support from his fellow prisoners and the Icelandic Confederation of Labor to participate in the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. While studying in Copenhagen, he became acquainted with a vast array of artistic movements and styles.
Although the appreciation of the artists ’different styles has often been described as‘ promising,’ the vision behind Jóhannes work has always been themed around the idea that nature is alive.
Ásmundarsafn – Asmundur Sculpture Museum
Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893-1982) is an Icelandic sculptor born in western Iceland. He is the third building in Reykjavik in their collection, the main focus of Smardarsafon. Ásmundur showed many artistic twists in his childhood. As an aspiring artist, he was quickly admitted to the Technical College of Iceland in 191 for a four-year apprenticeship under the artist and sculptor Ríkarður Jónsson, who was in charge of designing Icelandic coats.
After completing his apprenticeship, Ásmundur travelled to Stockholm, Sweden, Copenhagen, Denmark and was admitted to a four-year academy. While there, he often studied under the direction of Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. Always hoping to continue his studies, after graduating from the academy, he travelled to Paris to learn from the nude sculptor Charles Despiau.
The museum was officially opened in 1983 and is instantly recognised for its abstract architecture, opal wall, and a central white dome. The building was once the artist’s home as well as a studio. He donated the building in 1983 in addition to his work in the city of Reykjavík. The artist initially designed the building himself between 1942-1959 and was heavily influenced by the German art school, Bauhaus.
Ásmundarsafn always displays works of the ocean but will also feature works by other Icelandic artists, often with some work that has something to do with the style of that beautiful sculpture. A beautiful sculpture garden surrounds the building; Ásmundarsafn is decorated with 30 areas of sculptures, which are free to visit throughout the year.
Ending Thoughts
For true art lovers, however, there is simply no substitute for visiting art museums Reykjavik has and photo galleries, the largest of which is the Reykjavik Art Museum, run by the city of Reykjavik.
